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Cole County Health Department officials said Wednesday positive COVID-19 cases have gone up in the county because of "increased interaction and a lack of following issued guidance" and are concerned a three-day holiday weekend could continue that trend.
In a news release, health officials said about 70 percent of the positive COVID-19 cases in Cole County can be traced back to travel and/or contact to a known case, although there was an outbreak of cases at a long-term care facility. They also noted hospitalizations related to COVID-19 in Cole County continue to be low.
The health officials also said most positive COVID-19 cases are experiencing "mild symptoms and recovering within the quarantine timeframe," which is two weeks.
However, health officials are concerned because, they said, they are seeing increased interaction at social gatherings where social distancing "is not easily maintained."
"We're talking about private gatherings where people are more relaxed and not social distancing, something like a barbecue with family and friends," Cole County Health Department Director Kristi Campbell said. "With the three-day holiday for Labor Day coming up, we are urging residents to continue to take responsibility for their own health and to protect others.
"Please reconsider hosting or attending social gatherings that bring together more than 25 people that are outside of your normal interactions," she said. "These activities are a high-risk activity for transmission of the virus."
Along with social distancing and frequent hand-washing, health officials also recommend people wear face coverings when in contact with someone outside of their household within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes, according to guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control.
"Cloth face coverings offer some degree of protection against large infectious droplets, such as mucus or saliva, when speaking, sneezing or coughing," health officials wrote in the news release. "This particularly protects those around the person wearing the face covering and helps people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings are not considered an acceptable substitute for social distancing."
The news release went on to say cloth face coverings should be washed regularly and should be removed correctly. For more information on these matters, health officials asked residents to visit cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.
Those with further questions may call the Cole County Health Department at 573-636-2181 or the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services 24-hour COVID-19 hotline at 877-435-8411.