After several weeks of minor increases in COVID-19 cases, Polk County is now reporting a larger increase for the week of June 1. As of June 3, nine new cases have been reported to the Polk County Health and Human Services Agency (Polk HHSA). While this number may seem small compared to neighboring counties, from a per capita perspective it is significant.
“This increase in cases is to be expected as we observe more members of the community, the state and the nation becoming more mobile,” Polk County Health and Human Services Director Joshua Kennedy said. “This is also expected because more people will be returning to work and other locations where they will be congregating for longer periods of time, which increases the risk of transmission. We encourage all community members (residents and guests) to remember our primary strategies to prevent the spread of the coronavirus: social distance of at least six feet, wear a cloth face mask when in public, and wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitizer.”
“Our efforts at this time are to keep the number of new cases at zero if at all possible and to protect all members of the public from severe life threatening outcomes related to COVID-19, and especially our vulnerable population,” Kennedy said. “These prevention strategies are an act of compassion for our community and our families.”
As a reminder, those with COVID-19 may experience a variety of symptoms, which are listed below, or may be completely symptom free. In either situation, it is possible to spread the virus to others. Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or who believes they may have been exposed are encouraged to get tested to help prevent the spread of the disease.
Tests are now available from several vendors for at-home testing often with no upfront cost for those who are uninsured or insured, from your current healthcare provider or through the Polk County COVID-19 Testing drive-thru that occurs weekly by calling (828) 722-5086.
The CDC indicates people with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.
Polk County Health and Human Services Agency urges all residents to take measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus:
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at a time.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.For more information about the coronavirus and to read the latest guidance on keeping yourself and others safe and where to get tested, visit polknc.org, ncdhhs.gov, covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid…/…/covid-19-testing-locations or call the Polk County Message Line at (828) 722-5086.