42 current cases reported in Logan County
Logan County Health Commissioner Dr. Boyd Hoddinott and the Logan County Health District reported this week that the county is starting to see the start of community transmission of COVID-19.
“This occurs when the virus is passed from person to person without the ability to know when or where they were exposed locally,” Dr. Hoddinott said in a press release.
Monday, the health district officials said 107 total cases of the coronavirus have been reported since March, and there are currently 42 active cases in Logan County, including one current hospitalization.
The 107 total cases includes 70 confirmed cases and 37 probable cases of the virus for symptomatic individuals who were exposed to a known positive case.
The LCHD reports several restaurants, bars and a local church in the area have had individuals with confirmed cases of COVID-19 traced to having visited their establishments while they were contagious. The health district continues to work with these local entities to help reduce the spread.
“These facts tell us that there are cases everywhere and at any point, we can become exposed,” the health commissioner said. “This emphasizes again the importance of wearing masks and taking precautions at all times.
“It is a fact that many people that you interact with may have COVID-19 and no symptoms. These individuals are able to pass the virus to you. With the governor’s mask requirement, we are hoping that the spread will slow.”
When a positive case is identified through COVID-19 testing, the county of residence of that case is notified. That person is asked to self-isolate.
Any household or close contact (with symptoms) of the tested individual are considered “probable” cases and are also asked to self-isolate. If a contact does not have symptoms, they are asked to self-quarantine and watch for symptoms.
It is up to LCHD public health nursing staff and contact tracers to notify, interview and educate all positive, probable and contacts by phone.
Public health officials are asking individuals who have been out in the community without a mask on to monitor themselves for symptoms and contact their healthcare provider should symptoms develop.
Since there is community spread in the area, the public should take proper precautions at all times to protect themselves. Precautions include staying home when you are sick; wearing a mask when in public, keeping a safe distance of 6 feet from others, and washing your hands frequently and thoroughly.