Jackson County Reports Twenty-Three New COVID-19 cases

In the past 24 hours, 23 Jackson County residents have been confirmed of COVID-19. The Jackson County Health Department was notified of the new cases. 15 were Females (two teens, eleven in their twenties, and two in their fifties) and 8 were male (five in their twenties, one in his thirties, one in his fifties, and one in his sixties)

The 23 individuals contracted the disease either through contact with known cases or through transmission in the community (i.e., unable to trace back to a known source). All of the patients are placed in isolation. Since the start of the pandemic, today’s new cases are the most recorded in a single day in Jackson County.

In July, over 40% of the new confirmed cases in Jackson County have been in individuals in their late teens and twenties. According to Bart Hagston, Administrator, “This is a particularly challenging demographic to work with on COVID-19, as they are generally social in nature, and typically have fewer symptoms and less complications when they contract the disease. However, their exposure helps drive further transmission in the community, potentially bringing the disease to others who experience poor health outcomes, including elderly individuals and those with chronic health conditions.”

Public health officials are encouraging the public particularly the youth to follow the health guidance. The guidance is:

• If in public, wear a mask.
• Adapt social distancing from others as much as possible.
• Don’t participate in social gatherings.
• Frequently wash hands
• Work with health department officials as they conduct contact tracing following positive cases.

The county, to date, has seen 425 confirmed cases. 19 people have lost their lives due to COVID-19. 328 individuals have been released from isolation in accordance with CDC guidelines. Currently, seventy-eight active cases are being managed.