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COVID-19: Spike in cases shows need for caution

As excitement in anticipation of Tuesday’s general election grew earlier in the week, it may have been easy to miss another piece of news. Wood County is experiencing a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases. In fact, from Wednesday to Sunday of the previous week, the county saw a double-digit increase in confirmed cases. On Sunday alone, there were 22 new recorded cases. Over a seven-day period, 5.9 percent of all coronavirus tests in Wood County came back positive.

Cases have been found in our schools, our nursing homes, and … well, that’s just the trick, we do not know where else there might be a risk of contracting the virus. And people are still dying. The virus is as frightening as it has ever been, even if we have gotten numb to its presence.

But, as has been the case from the beginning, there are simple steps we can take to make a difference.

Get tested, and for goodness sake take the proper steps to quarantine if you are positive.

Wear a mask. Wash your hands, or use hand sanitizer. Stay six feet away from others in public. Avoid gatherings and unnecessary trips out.

“You don’t know who was out or who was in contact with someone who was out doing things that are less than appropriate during this time of COVID,” said Dr. Charles Whitaker II, medical officer for the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department.

Don’t assume someone else has taken precautions that you have not.

We are still all in this together, folks. We’ve got to keep using our heads and caring for ourselves and the people around us. Don’t let down your guard.

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