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WOODSFIELD – COVID-19 cases have more than doubled in the past month in Monroe County, with a high percentage of cases among the younger population.
The Monroe County Health Department recently released a graph showing the number of COVID-19 cases in the county by month and the corresponding age range of those positive cases.
The graph shows a significant increase in cases over the past two months.
Robin Groves, emergency response coordinator for the county health department, said the department had received inquiries related to the age groups of cases in the county, which prompted it to create the graphic.
“We have never been able to be very specific with this, so we wanted to give an easy-to-read graph for people to understand that we are seeing a younger population affected by COVID and the delta variant in the community,” she added.
According to the county chart, there were a total of 27 positive cases throughout the month of July – seven people aged 19 and under, 10 aged 20 to 39, nine aged 40 to 59 and one from the age group 60-79 years.
In August, the county reported a total of 171 cases – 34 in the 19 and under age range, 50 in the 20 to 39 age range, 50 in the 40 to 59 age range. years old, 19 in the 60 to 79 age group and 18 in the 80 and over age group.
Confirmed cases in the county more than doubled in September, and there is still nearly a week left in the month.
According to the graph, there have been a total of 384 positive cases so far this month, with almost 29% among those 19 and under. Of the 384 cases this month, 111 cases are in the 19 and under age group, 103 in the 20 to 39 age group, 96 in the 40 to 59 age group, 44 in the 60 to 79 age range and 15 in the 80 and age range.
Groves said the majority of the older population has been vaccinated, which gives them more protection against the virus, unlike some of the younger population.
“Many young people are not yet able to be vaccinated or have not yet been vaccinated”, she said.
As of Thursday, just over 39% of the county had been vaccinated. According to the Ohio Department of Health, only 6.56% of people 19 and under have received the vaccine, while 76.28% of people 80 and older have been vaccinated.
Groves said he recently started seeing more minors coming in for the shot. She said “it will not be long” until they start vaccinating young children, but for now they will continue to give it to 12 years and older.
She said she was not sure if they had seen the highest number of cases in the county or if they would continue to rise.
“We are entering the sports season and people will be more inside than outside. It’s hard to say,” she added.
The health service continues to offer clinics open every week. The next Moderna clinic for residents aged 18 and over is set for 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the health department. The next Pfizer clinic for residents 12 and older is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday. Third doses for people undergoing cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients, stem cell transplant recipients, HIV infection, or undergoing corticosteroid therapy are available by appointment only. To make an appointment, call 740-472-4299.
Groves said they also plan to hold a flu shot clinic in the near future. She said information about the clinic will be announced on the department’s social media page.
At the end of the month, the department plans to release additional information regarding the county’s cases, including the immunization status of positive individuals. Groves said the majority of positive cases they’ve seen have been in unvaccinated residents, although there are some groundbreaking cases.
“As in any county, we have groundbreaking cases of people being vaccinated; However, for the most part they are less symptomatic and tend to recover much faster than unvaccinated individuals, ”she said.
As of Tuesday, the county had a total of 1,898 confirmed cases, 1,659 recoveries, 45 deaths and 194 active cases. The department updates its confirmed cases once a week. According to the Ohio Department of Health, the county has a total of 1,908 confirmed cases, 1,554 recoveries, 49 deaths and 305 active cases.
Groves encourages residents to follow mitigation efforts to help stop the spread.
“I would really love to see people wear a mask when they can’t socially distance themselves from others, especially when they’re indoors up close, cover your cough, and wash their hands a lot. she said. “… Stay safe and be kind.”
She said there is a range of opinions regarding the virus, and whatever those opinions are, we need to remember to be kind to each other.
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