[ad_1]
HELENA – On Monday, Lewis and Clark Public Health announced that sewage samples showed large amounts of COVID-19.
Officials say Helena’s data shows an increase of 1,100% from last week.
Data in the report shows that as of July 26, there were around 16,000 copies of the virus per liter. A week later, that number rose to around 193,000 copies of the virus per liter. Public health reports that the previous record for wastewater samples was in early December when researchers recorded 63,000 copies of the virus.
Executives say the most recent results indicate individuals have been infected but have not been tested.
The number has public health officials urging the community to exercise caution when in public. This includes strict physical distancing masks in indoor public spaces, avoid large gatherings, get vaccinated and get tested for illness.
The results come as the seven-day average of new daily cases has increased dramatically. New daily COVID cases in the county hovered between two and six during most of June and July. But they rose to high levels of adolescence and a low of 20 in late July and early August.
As of Monday, Lewis and Clark Co. had 164 active cases with three active hospitalizations. The level of community transmission is considered “high”.
According to county health statistics, 57% of eligible county residents are considered fully immunized. The county reports that of the 7,308 cases of COVID-19, 41 were breakthrough cases.
Lewis and Clark Public Health partner with Carroll College for wastewater analysis.
[ad_2]
Source link