COVID cases surging heading into Thanksgiving holiday

covid-e1586557727968-58

The Knox County Health Department is asking for two weeks of increased caution to stamp out the coronavirus that continues to reach new heights in its spread locally. 

Health officials are asking employees to plan to work from home unless it is necessary to be in the workplace. 

They specifically make a plea to employers to accommodate this saying the goal is to reduce transmission heading into the holidays so businesses and schools can remain open.

Also for the next two weeks, they recommend staying home as much as possible, leaving only for necessary and essential activities, like work that must be performed outside the home, COVID-19 testing, visiting the pharmacy, and buying groceries.

The local health officials also say attending even small gatherings that mix households or traveling to areas that are experiencing high rates of positivity, is not advised and is potentially dangerous. 

State health officials announced 2 more COVID related deaths for Knox County residents Tuesday; two females, one in her 80’s, another in her 90’s. This brings the county total to 41 with 10 of those coming in the last week. 

There are 39 new cases of COVID in Knox Tuesday.

Warren County also has another death Tuesday; a male in his 60’s. 

19 of Knox County’s deaths are linked to long term care facilities, with 209 cases being found.

The facilities with the bulk of the cases have been Seminary Manor and Serenity of Lake Storey. Those two establishments have also had the bulk of deaths associated with COVID, with 19 between the two of them. Only the Knox County Nursing Home also had linked deaths, with two. 

 Knox County Public Health Administrator Michele Gabriele says, “We are experiencing increasing hospitalizations across our community. Our hospitals are confident in their surge plans, PPE and staffing to meet the needs of patients but are concerned the numbers are going in the wrong direction.”

From the beginning of the pandemic through October the percentage of patients admitted to the Emergency Room that were treated for COVID never reached above 4 percent, and often the number was negligible. The most recent figures that are on a ten-day lag show COVID is now suspected in 10 percent of ER patients. 

The county’s Unified Command says however it’s important not to delay needed health care such as primary care visits, screenings such as mammograms and treatments for chronic conditions. Delaying needed medical care can have serious consequences. They also say getting a flu shot is important is safeguarding your health this winter.

ReCENT POSTS

Loading...