308 COVID patients have recovered in South Heartland Dist.

South Heartland District Health Department (SHDHD) officials reported seven new lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases over the past four days (July 3 through 6), bringing the total number of cases in the four-county health district to 341. By county, the new totals are 305 in Adams, 28 in Clay, seven in Webster, and one in Nuckolls.

New cases in Adams County: three males (one in his 30s, one in his 40s and one in his 50s); three females (two under 20, one in her 40s).

New case in Clay County: one female in her 20s.

South Heartland’s positive test rate (number of positive lab reports divided by the total number of lab reports) for the week of June 28 to July 4 was 3.3 pecent, up from 2.7 percent the previous week, but still in low single digits.

“We continue to conduct case and contact investigations for individuals who test positive and live in Adams, Clay, Nuckolls or Webster counties,” said Michele Bever, SHDHD executive director. “Cases are always directed to isolate themselves and may be released from isolation only after they have completed 10 days since the beginning of their symptoms and three days fever free and symptoms improved. Close contacts are directed to quarantine and self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the date of their exposure” she said.

“The number of recovered cases as of today is 308, which means we have 33 active cases we are monitoring,” Bever said. “The health department also does contact investigations for each of these cases and, together, these 33 cases have more than 200 close contacts who are currently in quarantine and monitoring symptoms.”

“The health department’s case investigations are finding that close contacts are often associated with exposures at gatherings where people are not consistently practicing social distancing or wearing masks,” Bever said. “So, the virus is continuing to spread in our communities by these associations.”

“As the restrictions on gatherings have been lifted and larger gatherings allowed by the state-directed health measures, the potential for large numbers of close contacts increases. This is a growing issue if people are not wearing masks or practicing social distancing at these larger gatherings,” Bever said. “The actions people are (or are not) taking now will impact whether restrictions will need to continue to be in place later. Let’s learn from other states and keep the curve flat here in South Heartland’s counties,” she said.

 

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