From Julie Durst, Grant County Public Information Officer
Over the past several days, a surge in COVID-19 cases has occurred in Grant County. According to the Grant County Health Department, 67% of the new confirmed cases, in the two weeks prior to September 8, 2020, in Grant County, were among 18 to 27-year olds. Those under 18 years old made up 4% of the new cases in the past two weeks. The rapid increase coincides with the return of students to the University, Technical College, and K-12 schools.
Since the University and some local healthcare providers are now starting to use antigen testing, an increase in probable COVID-19 cases is occurring as well. As of the morning of September 8, 2020, 40 probable cases were identified in Grant County. Jeff Kindrai, Director/Health Officer for Grant County Health Department, says that paying attention to probable cases will become more important moving forward. Probable COVID-19 cases are defined as meeting clinical criteria AND epidemiologic evidence with no confirmatory lab testing performed (i.e., no COVID-19 PCR or NAAT performed) OR as having presumptive laboratory evidence (such as antigen testing)
The State website recently included probable COVID-19 cases in their county-level reports and the Health Department will add probable COVID-19 cases to their dashboard soon. Kindrai indicates that some probable cases may eventually get confirmation testing using PCR testing and therefore could change to either positive or negative so the number of probable COVID-19 cases will be a bit more fluid. However, if confirmed, probable COVID-19 cases will be subtracted and will not be counted twice.
Kindrai, states that the rise of cases among younger individuals has also resulted in many students being isolated and quarantined with the exact number changing by the hour. Further, students and their siblings are already being excluded from Grant County K-12 schools due to having COVID-19-like symptoms as well. This has increased pressure on local health care providers as parents seek a diagnosis for their child. He adds,”If we continue along this trajectory there is not much hope of in-person classes continuing through the semester uninterrupted”. Kindrai says “It is probably only a matter of time before K-12 is more significantly impacted. Hopefully, we will get enough cooperation so that we can keep in-person instruction going. However, students, parents, and guardians should plan for likely disruptions resulting in the switching of part or all in-person instruction to virtual formats that may be temporary or for the remainder of the semester.”
Each school in Grant County will be monitored and decisions to switch formats will be made by the school on a case-by-case basis after consultation with the Grant County Health Department. Kindrai says, “Decisions are complicated. Using one or just a few metrics and applying them in a blanket-type fashion likely will not result in the best decision. Therefore, decisions will be made using all available information and based on the unique and local circumstances at the time. If necessary, consultation with the State Health Department and the Department of Public Instruction will occur as well”. While the use of masks and face coverings reduces the transmission of COVID-19, staying 6 feet from others is still important. If spacing is not maintained, students will end up being quarantined and excluded from school if they came into contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 regardless of if they and/or the COVID-19 case were wearing a mask or face covering. Participation in close contact sports increases the chances of exposure.
Kindrai had some final comments, “Having gotten out briefly this weekend, I noted many people gathering and enjoying the holiday weekend. Unfortunately, far too many people were gathering in large groups, not social distancing, and not wearing masks. This type of behavior risks the health of others as well as our ability to have in-person school and our ability to keep our businesses open and successful.” The Grant County Health Department encourages people to act responsibly, social distance by staying 6 feet away from others that are not part of their household and to wear face coverings when around others. Avoiding groups larger than 10 people, frequent hand-washing, and staying home when ill remain important as well.
A free COVID-19 Testing site will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2020 at the Grant County Fairgrounds, in Lancaster. The testing site will be open from 10AM-5:30PM. Those wishing to be tested should follow the signs when they arrive at the site entrance located at 916 East Elm Street (County Hwy A). Additional community testing sites and other options for COVID-19 testing are being explored as well.
