Number of new cases doubled in last two weeks
BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — A spike in new COVID-19 cases within Martin County has local health officials concerned as they fear the public’s relaxed attitude may be to blame.
The mandates for tracking those who test positive for the virus have changed and are not nearly as stringent as they were this time last year, leaving many questions unanswered — such as the age groups of those affected, the type of COVID variant they acquired and the duration of the illness. In many of these cases, those who were possibly exposed to the virus are no longer contacted.
Steve Ward, director of the Martin County Health Department, said that between the dates of Aug. 15 and 29, 229 new COVID cases were reported to his office, which was approximately double the number of the previous two weeks.
“We are definitely in the middle of a surge of positive COVID cases, and I think that is for the most part due to the strain of virus that seems to be prevalent right now and its ability to spread quickly,” remarked Ward. “As time passes, it’s human nature to drop our guard and become more accepting of a situation and not take all the precautions we should to avoid exposure. We need to step up our game and be more conscientious and make a point to do what we can to protect ourselves and our family by staying healthy.”
Dr. Don Chaffin of Martin County Rural Health in Inez diagnosed 20 positive cases of COVID-19 Omicron variant in a single day last week. He says that although the Omicron strain is highly contagious and spreads like wildfire, the symptoms are less severe. Most patients say they feel like they have a bad cold or sinus infection, and few have had to be hospitalized.
“There’s always something to be thankful for,” Chaffin said. “I have patients who are elderly or have serious health issues that have tested positive for COVID recently, and had they acquired the Delta variant rather than the Omicron strain that was so bad this time last year, they would have more than likely not survived,” said Chaffin.
“I attribute the weaker strain to the natural progression of the disease and the way that it mutates. I, for one, am very thankful that getting a COVID diagnosis is no longer a death sentence. Hopefully, by this time next year, COVID patients may experience symptoms that only mimic a mild cold if this trend continues.”
Both Chaffin and Ward still emphasize the importance of getting vaccinated against the disease and receiving the boosters in the recommended time frame.
Precautions such as washing your hands after touching surfaces or making contact with others in public should be a common-sense practice for all, says Chaffin, as well as sneezing or coughing into the bend of your arm, not touching your hand to your nose or mouth, and limiting your time at crowded indoor venues.
Larry James, superintendent of Martin County Schools, told the Mountain Citizenthat student attendance had been low over the last couple of weeks but added that unless a parent or guardian alerts the school that their child has COVID, there’s no way of knowing since the state guidelines have changed.
James wants to remind parents that a photo or screenshot of a positive home COVID test kit does not equal an excused absence. Absences are excused only when the test is performed by a physician’s office or medical facility that provides proper documentation.
James also said he is hopeful that doctors will follow the new guidelines that say a person who is positive for the virus can return to school or work after a five-day period if they are no longer symptomatic, rather than the previous mandate of 10 days.
“We are seeing a mixture of five- and 10-day excuses, and we definitely want to get our students back in the classroom as quickly as possible once they are no longer contagious,” the superintendent said. “It’s very early in the year to have students missing 10 days of in-classroom instruction, making it harder for them to catch up and stay on course. Of course, it goes without saying if they are sick, they don’t need to be here, but we don’t want to see unnecessary absenteeism that may be avoidable.”
Anyone interested in receiving a COVID vaccine or booster is encouraged to contact the health department at 606-298-7752 to schedule an appointment.
Ward said vaccines are available for anyone aged 6 months and above, but he recommends that parents follow their child’s pediatrician’s advice before deciding to vaccinate them.
“Their child’s doctor knows their medical history and can advise them in a way we cannot,” said Ward.
As of Tuesday, Martin County remains in the “red” with a total of 4,278 cases, with 120 of those still active and 4,108 recovered. The number of deaths attributed to the virus remains at 50.