Public health officials in Brooke, Hancock and Jefferson counties report that COVID-19 cases continue to rise, with a very high incidence of exposure and spread classifying them as red.
Dr. Mark Kissinger, medical officer for the Jefferson County Health Department, said last week the department was aware of about 60 to 70 new cases per day.
Mike Bolen, administrator of the Brooke County Health Department, said the county’s daily average has been 25, while Hancock County public health officials have reported 40 to 50 new cases each day.
The Jefferson County department has reported a total of 1,192 active cases, including 40 who are hospitalized. The Brooke County department has counted 175 active cases and 76 active probable ones, with the latter applying to people who were found positive for the virus through the less reliable rapid test after displaying symptoms; with seven who have been hospitalized.
And the Hancock County department has calculated 445 active cases, including 17 in hospitals.
Kissinger and Bolen said the number of hospitalizations reported by their departments refer only to the number of Jefferson County residents identified as COVID-19 patients at Trinity Medical Center and Brooke County residents diagnosed with the virus at Weirton Medical Center and don’t reflect the total number of people being treated for the disease at the two hospitals.
Hancock County officials this week reported four COVID-19 related deaths, bringing the county’s total since March to 12.
Jefferson County officials have recorded 29 deaths, and in Brooke County, 14 have been counted.
Kissinger said many of those hospitalized have been older residents and those with health conditions that make them more at risk of being affected severely “but I’ve had patients in their 30s and 40s who were perfectly healthy who have been hospitalized, with oxygen, for days or weeks.”
Bolen said, “We are seeing substantial community spread within our area and are at a point that we ask people to limit unnecessary social gatherings and activities. We ask that those highest at risk use upmost caution and limit leaving their homes if it isn’t a necessity.”
He added, “The cases we are seeing vary widely in age along with health conditions, as there is no one this virus cannot affect.”
The rise in cases comes at the start of the flu season and at a time when colds are common. But health officials are urging people not to take early signs of illness too lightly and avoid contact with others until they can be sure they don’t have the virus.
“Don’t assume you don’t have it just because your symptoms are mild,” said Kissinger.
Free testing has become more available locally, with the Brooke and Hancock health departments organizing several drive-up test sites in recent months.
The Link LonkDecember 12, 2020 at 03:03PM
https://www.weirtondailytimes.com/news/local-news/2020/12/tri-county-area-stays-in-the-red/
Tri-county area stays in the 'red' | News, Sports, Jobs - The Daily Times
https://news.google.com/search?q=Red&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
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