September 2020 COVID-19 Updates

INCREASE IN OLDER ADULTS TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 IN ADAIR COUNTY

Kirksville, MO 9/30/2020 – Three new cases of COVID-19 today, a 41-year-old male and females ages 40 and 47, bring Adair County’s total case count to 369. There are 28 active cases and 341 individuals who have left isolation. A 48-year-old male who was hospitalized at Northeast Regional Medical Center from September 12 through September 23 has been readmitted to the hospital today. He does not require use of a ventilator.

Recently, there has been a significant increase in the age of those in Adair County testing positive for COVID-19. In the 30 confirmed cases from September 24 through September 29, 13 adults, or 43% of cases, involved those age 60 to 85.

“In March and April, our cases were mostly travel and community spread,” said Jim LeBaron, administrator of the Adair County Health Department. “From mid-May through the end of June, the majority of cases were erupting from the area meat-processing plants. The median age of those cases was 27. Then, from mid-August through September 23, most of the cases were in the K-12 and higher education sectors, so the ages affected dropped significantly,” LeBaron said. “But most recently, we’ve seen cases involving more and more people over the age of 60. That’s worrisome since those over the age of 60 are most vulnerable to the virus, and to suffering the most severe symptoms” he said.

Nationally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), eight of every 10 deaths have been people age 65 and older. With the death toll more than 200,000, that means 160,000 deaths were among those in that older population.

Older adults represent the majority of those hospitalized due to the virus and its effect on those who have underlying health issues. To date, Adair County has seen 11 hospitalizations of individuals ranging from 30 years old to 85. Fifty-five percent have been age 60 and older.

“We have been fortunate in Adair County because we haven’t lost a life to COVID-19, and no one hospitalized has needed a ventilator,” LeBaron said. “We want to keep it that way. But when we start seeing the age of those residents testing positive rise like we are right now, we all need to take precautions.”

The CDC recommends that people be particularly careful around older adults and make sure they wear masks, maintain social distance, and practice proper hand hygiene.

“Since masks are not recommended for people with breathing issues, such as COPD or other conditions that affect older adults most, the older adult you visit might not be able to wear a mask. That makes it even more vital that you do wear one to protect them,” LeBaron said. “Do you part to protect those who need protection the most.”

 

ADAIR COUNTY IN NATIONAL YELLOW ZONE 

Kirksville, MO 9/29/2020 – Four new cases of COVID-19 among Adair County residents have been confirmed today. A 65-year-old male was hospitalized at the VA Hospital in Columbia yesterday and an 80-year-old male was admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center yesterday where he tested positive for the virus. Neither require use of a ventilator.

The other two cases involve a 60-year-old female and a 78-year-old female.

Of the 366 total cases year to date, 25 are active and 341 individuals have left isolation. The Adair County Health Department has made 1,377 contact tracing calls.

Today’s report to governors issued by the White House Coronavirus Task Force shows the State of Missouri continues to be in the red zone for the seven-day period from September 19 to September 25, 2020. States in the red zone are recording more than 101 cases per 100,000 population during the seven-day period. That puts Missouri at the 8th highest case rate in the country.

Also in the report, Kirksville and Adair County are listed in the yellow zone. Adair County confirmed 22 cases during last week’s seven-day period. For the current seven-day period, which ends on Friday, Adair County has reached 16 new cases.

 

12 NEW CASES PUT ADAIR COUNTY AT 362 YEAR TO DATE

Kirksville, MO 9/28/2020 – Twelve newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 since last Friday bring Adair County’s year-to-date total to 362. Two cases were confirmed Saturday, five more on Sunday and five additional cases today.

The cases involve females ages 21, 33, 48, 68 and 79, and males ages 20, 30, 51, 68, 70, 76 and 82. Seven cases reside in households with another confirmed case. All 12 cases are attributed to community spread with two in the higher education sector.

There are 26 active cases with one individual still being treated at Northeast Regional Medical Center but not requiring a ventilator.  Three hundred thirty-six people have left isolation.

The Adair County Health Department will hold its annual Drive-Through Flu Clinic from 11 a.m.  to 6 p.m., Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at the NEMO Fairgrounds. Vaccines will be administered at no cost to Adair County residents, although those with Medicare and Medicaid coverage should bring their cards to the clinic. No pre-registration is required.

All people in a vehicle should be wearing masks to protect the healthcare workers administering vaccines and wearing clothes with short or loose sleeves to make access to the injection site easier.

The annual flu vaccine is recommended for children ages three and older and all adults. The Health Department will be administering the standard quadrivalent vaccine to children and adults under the age of 65 and the high-dose vaccine to adults age 65 and older.

The high-dose vaccine contains four times the amount of antigen as that in the standard dose. The antigen is the component of the vaccine that helps your body build protection against the flu virus, giving older adults a boost to their immune response.

Although the high-dose vaccine will be available at the October 14 drive-through clinic, adults age 65 and older need to request that it be administered to them. All vaccines will be administered on a first-come, first-serve basis until doses run out.

 

ADAIR COUNTY ENDS WEEK AT 350 CASES OF COVID-19

Kirksville, MO 9/25/2020 – Seven new cases confirmed today by the Adair County Health Department puts the county’s year-to-date total at 350.

The new cases involve females ages 22, 28, 37, 42 and 57, and males ages 62 and 72. Three of today’s cases reside at the same address and two others reside at addresses where a case was previously identified. All cases are attributed to community spread with one each in an area plant, the K-12 sector and the higher education sector.

There are now 23 active cases and 327 individuals who have left isolation.

 

ADAIR COUNTY REACHES 343 CASES THIS YEAR

Kirksville, MO 9/24/2020 – Adair County’s year-to-date COVID-19 case count reached 343 today with confirmation of seven new cases. There are now 29 active cases and 314 individuals out of isolation. The Adair County Health Department has made 1,343 contact tracing calls.

The new cases include females ages 15, 21 and 38, and males ages 23, 36, 38 and 85. Two of the cases are in households with a previously confirmed case.

The 85-year-old male has been admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center but does not require a ventilator. A 47-year-old female admitted to the hospital on September 9 and a 48-year-old male admitted on September 12 were discharged to their homes yesterday.

Six cases are the result of community spread, two of which are in the higher education sector. The remaining case is travel related.

 

FREE COVID-19 TESTING OFFERED IN ADAIR COUNTY

Kirksville, MO 9/24/2020 – The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Missouri National Guard are coordinating a free COVID-19 testing drive-through clinic at the NEMO Fairgrounds on October 12, 2020, from 7 a.m. until noon. You do not have to be exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 to be tested.

There is no charge for the test. Standard nasopharyngeal swab tests (PCR) will be administered with results in three to five days. Although you need to be a Missouri resident for this testing site, you do not have to be a resident of Adair County.

Pre-registration is required and can be done online at health.mo.gov/communitytest. If you do not have internet access, you can call the Missouri COVID-19 Hotline at 877-435-8411 to register.

Those being tested should wear masks to protect staff administering the tests. Participants should enter the NEMO Fairgrounds from the Patterson Street entrance.

 

FOUR NEW CASES OF COVID-19 CONFIRMED IN ADAIR COUNTY

Kirksville, MO 9/23/2020 – Four newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 today bring Adair County’s total to 336. Two cases are in the higher education sector, an 18-year-old male and a 21-year-old female. A 31-year-old male was infected via community spread, and a 41-year-old male’s case is travel related. There are now 28 active cases and 308 out of isolation.

 

ADAIR COUNTY COVID-19 COUNT AT 332

Kirksville, MO 9/22/2020 – For a second consecutive day, the Adair County Health Department reports only one new confirmed case of COVID-19 which brings the year-to-date total to 332. Today’s case involves a 30-year-old male in travel-related infection.

There are 29 actives cases and 303 people have left isolation. A 59-year-old male was released from Northeast Regional Medical Center yesterday, while two other Adair County residents remain hospitalized. The Health Department has completed 1,329 contact tracing calls.

 

ADAIR COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT DRIVE-THROUGH FLU CLINIC

Annual Vaccine Even More Important During Pandemic

Kirksville, MO 9/22/2020 – The Adair County Health Department will hold its annual Drive-Through Flu Clinic from 11 a.m.  to 6 p.m., Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at the NEMO Fairgrounds. Vaccines will be administered at no cost to Adair County residents, although those with Medicare and Medicaid coverage should bring their cards to the clinic. No pre-registration is required, and vaccines will be administered on a first-come, first-serve basis until doses run out.

All people in a vehicle should be wearing masks to protect the healthcare workers administering vaccines and wearing clothes with short or loose sleeves to make access to the injection site easier.

The annual flu vaccine is recommended for children ages 3 and older and all adults. The Health Department will be administering the standard quadrivalent vaccine to children and adults under the age of 65 and the high-dose vaccine to adults age 65 and older.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and infectious disease experts have stated that getting the seasonal flu vaccine this year is more important than ever. Having more people vaccinated and fewer people infected by the flu means reducing the number of people requiring hospitalization and other healthcare services while providers are dealing with COVID-19 patients.

The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect people from being infected by COVID-19; however, both are respiratory illnesses that share many of the same symptoms, including:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue (tiredness)
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle pain or body aches
• Headache
• Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults

“We hope that everyone will get a flu vaccine this year so we can limit the number of people who are infected by the flu,” said Jim LeBaron, administrator of the Adair County Health Department. “What we don’t want to have happen is taxing Northeast Regional Medical Center and other healthcare providers with flu patients during the time they’re also treating COVID-19 patients,” he said.

“We always have a robust season of flu in northeast Missouri, so more people avoiding it this year by getting a vaccine will benefit everyone in the community,” LeBaron said.

There currently is no information on when a COVID-19 vaccine will be widely available to the public.

 

ONE NEW CASE OF COVID-19 CONFIRMED

Kirksville, MO 9/21/2020 – A 71-year-old male has tested positive for COVID-19, contracted via community spread. There have now been 331 cases in Adair County to date. Twenty-nine cases are active and 302 individuals have left isolation.

 

ADAIR COUNTY CASES HIT 330

Kirksville, MO 9/19/2020 – Two cases of COVID-19 confirmed today in Adair County brings the total number of cases to 330. A 21-year-old female from the higher education sector and a 65-year-old female are both in isolation. There are currently 32 active cases and 298 who have left isolation.

 

ADAIR COUNTY COVID-19 CASES HOLD AT 328

Kirksville, MO 9/18/2020 – The Adair County Health Department reports that no new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed today among Adair County residents, holding the year-to-date number at 328.

Three more people did leave isolation, bringing that number up to 294. There are 34 active cases. Three people remain at Northeast Regional Medical Center with none requiring use of a ventilator. The Adair County Health Department has completed 1,315 contact tracing calls.

 

FIVE NEWS CASES OF COVID-19 CONFIRMED IN ADAIR COUNTY

Kirksville, MO 9/17/2020 – Adair County’s year-to-date case count rose to 328 today after confirmation of five new cases, four of which are in the higher education sector. Cases include females ages 19, two age 20 and 79. The fifth case is a 22-year-old male. Two cases reside at addresses where at least one previous case has been confirmed. There are now 37 active cases and 291 individuals who have left isolation.

In the Missouri State Report authored by the White House Coronavirus Task Force weekly, Missouri remained in the red zone for the September 3-9 seven-day period with 146 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population. That rate moved the state from the 7^th highest rate the week before to the 4^th highest rate based on last week’s numbers, despite the fact that Missouri’s overall rate fell from 150 to 146. The average for all states last week was 74. Rates of 100 or more per 100,000 population, or .001%, places a state in the red zone.

In today’s report, Kirksville landed on the list in the yellow zone. From September 3 through September 9, Adair County had 38 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 32 of those in Kirksville.

“Missouri is starting to do slightly better in overall cases but not good enough. And the addition of Kirksville on this week’s list of yellow and red zones within the state is not good news,” said Jim LeBaron, administrator of the Adair County Health Department. “We’re nearing the 14-day mark since the Labor Day weekend and hope we don’t experience yet another holiday-related uptick in cases.”

“The virus is alive and well in our community. The only hope we have to lower our case counts is if every resident will start wearing a mask, avoiding close contact with others, washing hands, and disinfecting surfaces and objects used by others,” LeBaron said. “We’re asking, again, that every individual commit to protecting everyone else in Adair County. Do it for your family, friends, neighbors and that stranger who might be highly vulnerable to COVID-19.”

 

ADAIR COUNTY COVID-19 CASE TOTAL REACHES 323

Kirksville, MO 9/16/2020 – With another eight cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Adair County today, the year-to-date total has reached 323. The new cases include females ages 17, 20, 21 and 42, and males ages 36, 48, 64 and 66.

Two of the cases are in the higher education sector and one is in the K-12 Adair County schools sector. Five individuals reside at addresses where at least one case was previously confirmed.

As of today, there are 35 active cases and 288 individuals who have left isolation. The Adair County Health Department has completed 1,315 contact tracing calls. For every active case, an average of four other residents have been advised to quarantine due to close exposure to a confirmed case.

 

 

 

ELEVEN NEW CASES OF COVID-19 REPORTED TODAY AMONG ADAIR COUNTY RESIDENTS

Kirksville, MO 9/15/2020 – Eleven new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed by the Adair County Health Department today, which raises the county’s total to 315 cases. All 11 cases are the result of community spread with nine cases in the higher education sector and one in the K-12 sector. Seven reside at addresses with previously confirmed cases.

Today’s cases involve females ages 18, four age 20, 22 and 54, and males ages 10, 19, 20 and 59. The 59-year-old male was admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center yesterday for COVID-19. There are currently three Adair County residents at Northeast Regional. None have required a ventilator.

The Adair County Health Department was also notified today that a 32-year-old female who tested positive for the virus was incorrectly identified as a Schuyler County resident. Although she has left isolation, she has been added to year-to-date Adair County case count.

There are currently 31 active cases and 284 individuals who have left isolation. The Health Department has completed 1,313 contact tracing calls.

 

ADAIR COUNTY COVID-19 CASES TOP 300

Kirksville, MO 9/14/2020 – Five new cases of COVID-19 confirmed today in the higher education sector bring Adair County’s year-to-date total to 303. The new cases involve females ages 18, 19 and 22 and males ages 18 and 20. Three of the cases are at addresses with previously confirmed cases.

On Saturday, a case involving a 39-year-old female was reported. During contact tracing attempts, the Adair County Health Department determined that the healthcare provider administering the test entered an incorrect date of birth for the woman. The actual person tested is a resident of another county and has been removed from the Adair County case count.

There are currently 20 active cases in Adair County and 283 individuals who have left isolation.

 

THREE NEW CASES BRING ADAIR COUNTY’S TOTAL TO 299

Kirksville, MO 9/12/2020 – Three new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed by the Adair County Health Department today. A 37-year-old male case is travel related. Two others, a 39-year-old female and a 48-year-old male, are the result of community spread. The 48-year-old male tested positive while he was a patient at Northeast Regional Medical Center and does not require a ventilator. There are other positive cases in his household.

There are currently 20 active cases and 279 individuals who have left isolation. The Health Department hit 1,300 contact tracing calls today.

 

ADAIR COUNTY HOLDS AT 296 CASES 

Kirksville, MO 9/11/2020 – After confirming 67 cases of COVID-19 in Adair County in the first 10 days of September, the Adair County Health Department received no notification of new cases today. The year-to-date total remains at 296. Thirteen more people have left isolation leaving 26 active cases.

 

ADAIR COUNTY CASES NEAR 300

Kirksville, MO 9/10/2020 – With seven new cases of COVID-19 confirmed today among residents, Adair County’s year-to-date total has risen to 296. The new cases involve females ages 18, 20 and 54 and males ages 18, two age 21, and 22. Six are related to the higher education sector and four live at addresses with at least one other positive case.

Currently, 39 cases are active and 257 have left isolation. One previously identified case has been admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center but has not required a ventilator. The Adair County Health Department has completed 1,297 contact tracing calls.

 

TWO NEW CASES OF COVID-19 CONFIRMED TODAY

Kirksville, MO 9/9/2020 – A 19-year-old male and a 66-year-old female are the latest confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Adair County. The male is involved in the higher education sector and resides in a household with a previously confirmed case.

Several people left isolation today, leaving 41 active cases. No residents are currently hospitalized at Northeast Regional Medical Center.

Jim LeBaron, administrator of the Adair County Health Department, said today’s low case count is a welcome respite from the recent uptick in cases in Adair County. The latest White House Coronavirus Report cites Missouri as currently having the 7^th highest case rate in the country, putting the state in the “red zone.” States fall in the red zone when new cases exceed 100 per 100,000 population in a seven-day period. Missouri had 150 new cases per 100,000 population last week compared to the national average of 88.

“Unfortunately, Adair County contributed to Missouri’s move into the red zone,” LeBaron said. “We aren’t as bad as some counties and are worse than others. We just need to focus on taking those precautions that minimize spread of the virus and consistently lower our daily case counts,” he said. “It’s tough and we’re all tired of this virus, but we can’t stop doing the things that help keep our family, friends and neighbors safe.”

 

FREE COVID-19 TESTING OFFERED IN EIGHT MISSOURI COUNTIES

Kirksville, MO 9/9/2020 – The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Missouri National Guard are coordinating free COVID-19 testing, September 14-23, 2020, in eight Missouri counties. Those counties are Ralls, Boone, Jefferson, Nodaway, Madison, St. Charles, St. Francois and Perry.

There is no charge for these community testing clinics and Missourians do not have to live in the county where the testing is located. You do not have to be exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 to be tested.

Pre-registration is required and can be done online at health.mo.gov/communitytest. If you do not have internet access, you can call the Missouri COVID-19 Hotline at 877-435-8411.

Dates for the eight counties are: September 14 and 15 in Boone County; September 14 in Nodaway County; September 16 in Ralls County; September 18 in Madison County; September 21 in St. Francois County; and, September 22 and 23 in Jefferson County.

 

ADAIR COUNTY HITS 287 COVID-19 CASES

Kirksville, MO 9/8/2020 – Over the Labor Day weekend, 17 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed among Adair County residents.

On Saturday, September 5, eight cases were confirmed among females ages 21 and 20, and males ages 21, 25, 30, 19, 20 and 22. Four cases confirmed on September 6 were females ages 25, 16 and 21, and a 30-year-old male. Five cases confirmed on Labor Day was a 21-year-old females and males ages 19, 15, 40 and 49.

Nine of weekend cases involved the higher education sector and one the K-12 Adair County schools sector. One case was related to travel and the rest were the result of community spread. Seven cases involved households with other positive cases. In the seven-day period from September 1 through September 7, a total of 55 positive cases were confirmed.

Today, another three cases of COVID-19 were confirmed which brings the year-to-date total to 287. Today’s cases involve a males ages 65, 22 and 19. Two are in the higher education sector.

Currently, 51 cases are active, 236 have left isolation, and no county residents are hospitalized at Northeast Regional Medical Center. The Adair County Health Department has completed 1,284 contact-tracing calls.

 

 

COVID-19 CASES CLIMB TO 267 ENTERING THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND 

Kirksville, MO 9/4/2020 – Adair County enters the Labor Day holiday weekend with 267 confirmed cases of COVID-19 year to date. Nine more cases of the virus were confirmed today, including males ages 20, 21, 15, 46 and 19 and females ages 22, 16, 14 and 22. Three of the cases are in the K-12 Adair County schools sector and four are in the higher education sector. Three of the cases are related to a household with at least one other positive case of COVID-19.

There are now 41 active cases and 226 people have left isolation. The Adair County Health Department has completed 1,244 contact-tracing calls.

“Labor Day weekend has traditionally been a time for people to gather with family and friends for parties, picnics and barbecues,” said Jim LeBaron, administrator of the Adair County Health Department. “But this year, nothing is ‘traditional,’ and everyone needs to take precautions to avoid spreading COVID-19,” he said. “We’re already experiencing a spike in cases in Adair County. We just don’t need people spreading the virus among themselves here this weekend or traveling outside the county and returning with the virus. No matter where you spend time this weekend, you need to take precautions,” he said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers guidelines for hosting or attending gatherings during the pandemic. First and foremost is staying home if you don’t feel well, are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 or if you’ve had close contact with anyone who has tested positive for the virus. If someone in your household has COVID-19, no one in your household should be attending gatherings where you can spread the disease.

Other recommendations include:

• Gather outside if possible. If you gather inside, make sure it’s a large, open and well-ventilated space with room for social distancing.
• Arrange tables, chairs and standing room so there is at least six feet between people from the same household.
• Avoid shaking hands, hugs and even bumping elbows. Greet people verbally and from a distance.
• Wear masks, especially if you’re gathering indoors.
• Use hand sanitizer and wipe down tables, chairs, etc., with disinfecting wipes.
• Ideally, take your own food, drinks, dinnerware and utensils. If food is being prepared, limit who can be in the kitchen or near the grill.
• Use single-use condiments such as mustard, salt and salad dressings.

“Gathering in small groups is safe, as long as everyone takes the necessary precautions,” LeBaron said. “Visiting with friends and family is good for the soul, especially now. But we have to be smart about it or we risk spreading the virus to those who are most vulnerable,” he said.

“We’re already seeing cases rise quickly in Adair County,” LeBaron said. “What we don’t want to see is a tremendous spike in the two weeks following the holiday weekend. Everyone needs to do their part and play it safe.”

To read the CDC guidelines regarding personal and social activities, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/personal-social-activities.html#gatherings. For guidelines on visiting parks and recreational facilities, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/visitors.html.

 

SEVEN NEW ADAIR COUNTY COVID-19 CASES CONFIRMED

Kirksville, MO 9/3/2020 – Seven new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed today in Adair County, all attributed to community spread. New cases include males ages 61, 42 and 56 and females ages 21, 24, 18 and 48. Three cases are located in households with at least one other positive case. One case is related to the higher education sector.

The year-to-date case count now stands at 258. Forty-four cases are active and 214 people have left isolation. The Adair County Health Department has completed 1,244 calls in contact-tracing efforts.

 

COVID-19 CASES REACH 251 IN ADAIR COUNTY WITH 10 NEW CASES

Kirksville, MO 9/2/2020 – Ten additional cases of COVID-19 confirmed today by the Adair County Health Department raise the county’s year-to-date total to 251. New cases include females ages 18, 29, 20, 47, 20 and 19, and males ages 22, 34, 22 and 21. All are community spread. Seven cases involve the higher education sector. Five cases are in households with at least one other positive case.

Two positive cases included in yesterday’s count were confirmed late yesterday without details. Those cases involve females ages 42 and 73, both infected via community spread. There are now 40 active cases and 211 people have left isolation. No county residents are hospitalized at this time at Northeast Regional Medical Center. The Adair County Health Department has completed 1,177 contact-tracing calls.

12 NEW CASES OF COVID-19 CONFIRMED IN ADAIR COUNTY TODAY

Kirksville, MO 9/1/2020 – The Adair County Health Department has been notified of 12 new cases of COVID-19 since yesterday, which brings the total number of cases since March to 241. At the time of this release, the Health Department had information on 10 of the 12 cases. Thirty-six cases are now active, 205 have left isolation and a resident admitted to Northeast Regional Medical Center on August 20 was discharged to home yesterday.

The 10 new cases for which the Health Department has received specific information are all likely the result of community spread. They involve males ages 54, 15, 57 and 36, and females ages 20, 21, 14, 80, 57 and 21. Three cases are related to the higher education sector, two are related to K-12 Adair County schools, and one case is related to an area meat-processing plant. Five of the new cases are in households or congregate living facilities with a previously confirmed positive case. Information about the other two cases will be released tomorrow.

“What we’re seeing in case demographics in Adair County now is consistent with community spread,” said Jim LeBaron, administrator of the Adair County Health Department. “Cases used to be primarily among plant employees but now range from a two-year-old to several 80-year-olds and every age in between. Of course, we worry about our older residents because the most severe cases throughout the country, many deadly, have been among adults age 65 and older. But we also worry about everyone in between who might have health conditions that make them more vulnerable to severity,” he said.

LeBaron said he understands that people are tired of staying home, not seeing family and friends, and not going to school. But when they do return to going out more and being around more people, they need to take precautions to lower the risk of transmission.

In early August, Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House’s coronavirus task force, advised that people should assume they are infectious and wear masks even at home if someone lives there who is vulnerable to the disease. And what about hugging? Dr. Birx has said that if you must hug a family member, both should be wearing masks and the hug should be very quick. The longer the close contact, the more likely the virus will be transmitted from one individual to the other.

“Droplets, contact and time are the major factors in transmission,” LeBaron said. “Everyone has to take measures to limit all three to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Those measures include wearing masks, social distancing, washing hands or using hand sanitizer, and avoiding large gatherings, particularly anything indoors,” he said.

“People are figuring out ways to socialize while still taking precautions,” LeBaron said. “A few friends or family members might gather outside, keep at least six feet apart at all times, wear masks when they can’t maintain social distance, and not share congregate food and drink. They can still visit and catch up but not take an overt risk of passing the infection to one another,” he said. “There are ways to both be together and be careful in the midst of the pandemic.”