Coronavirus cases in Garfield County spiked during the month of July, averaging 81 new cases per week from June 29th to July 26th. Now that trend seems to be heading in a more positive direction. KDNK’s Lucas Turner reports.
Public Health officials announced in June that due to a spike in COVID-19 cases, Garfield County would not enter the third reopening phase called “Protect Our Neighbors,” and would instead remain in Phase Two, “Safer at Home.”
In the following four weeks, new cases continued to surge in the county with 75 in the first week, 93 the second, 98 the third and 58 new cases in the fourth week of July. At an average of 81 new cases per week this put Garfield County in the high risk or “danger” category for viral spread, as defined by the state health department.
Now for the first time since early June the county moves into the medium or “warning” category, averaging just 27 cases in the last two weeks.
Public health officials say that combined with a significant decrease in residents seeking tests, the data indicates successful prevention measures including increased mask usage following a statewide mask mandate implemented in mid-July. That mandate has now been extended to mid-September.
Turnaround for COVID-19 tests is 3 days on average over the last two weeks in Garfield County, which officials say is an improvement from several weeks ago.
You can find more on COVID-19 data for Garfield County at garfield-county.com/public-health/garfield-county-covid-19-cases/
