Over the span of three days, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Taylor County increased by 34, setting the county at a total of 39 confirmed cases as of Monday.
The spike in confirmed infections has caught the attention of those in neighboring counties, including Jo Anne Duckworth, director of Union County Emergency Management.
“We’re watching our case counts,” said Duckworth. “These things are going to happen. The only thing I can do is to urge the people of Union County to maintain those things we have set and have been said all along.”
Sudden growth in confirmed cases isn’t unusual with the virus, especially as testing has become more accessible in rural areas. However, continuing current guidelines and measures are considered the best course of action in preventing a wider spread.
“Union County needs to be doing everything we’ve been doing before,” said Kayla Hoffman, director of marketing and communications at Greater Regional Health.”Good hygiene, washing hands, staying home when feeling sick, they just need to focus on things we have been focusing on in the past to make sure we can do everything we can to slow the spread.”
Greater Regional Health staff continue to practice social-distancing and provide a mandatory screening process for staff and patients.
“We are still screening every patient as they come in,” said Hoffman. “We are also screening all our surgery patients before they are up for surgery, maintaining what the governor has told us so we can kind of start moving forward.”
With Gov. Reynolds lifting restrictions on dine-in restaurants, bars, businesses and theaters, Duckworth said the safety of the county is in the hands of the citizens now more than ever.
“If you’re sick, please stay at home,” said Duckworth. “There are still more symptoms being discovered for COVID-19 beyond the fever and the cough. If people are not feeling well, stay home.”
Duckworth said it is most important for citizens to stay vigilant and aware, even as businesses continue to open and things begin to shift back to the status quo.
“It’s the only way we are going to slow things down,” said Duckworth.