Clinton County Health Officer Dr. Steve Monday issued the following statement about the COVID-19 situation in Clinton County.
Yesterday was Palm Sunday.
Yesterday was also the day we had four people in Clinton County with COVID-19. This does not sound like a lot, but in four days we have gone from one to four. That makes our doubling time about two days. If this calculation is correct, we are on the same curve as Italy and New York City. That means in two more days we will have eight cases and in two days after that 16 cases in Clinton County. By Easter we will expect somewhere around 80 cases, many of them requiring hospital care. Now is the time we can change the outlook for our community. The only tool we have is our behavior!
Please take to heart the lessons painfully learned in the past few weeks:
- Wash your hands with soap and water at least four times a day and anytime you touch anything outside your home.
- Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue or your elbow sleeve and wash your hands afterwards.
- STAY HOME!!! Do not leave your home unless you absolutely must! Every time you pass by someone else you risk infection. If you just want to talk to your friends, use your phone!!!
- Playing in the park, on the basketball court, or on the golf course puts you and your family and friends at risk of infection.
- If you must go out for essential reasons, do not go inside a store or place of business any longer than absolutely necessary. Do not touch anything you do not have to touch. If there is a line, stay outside until it is your turn and keep away from anyone else at least 6 feet (10 feet is better). Consider having items delivered rather than shopping in person.
- Wearing a cloth mask or even a scarf, over your nose and mouth outside your home will also help stop the spread of COVID-19. A paper surgical mask may be a little better and is needed by our medical professionals. Please use a re-usable fabric mask instead.
Remember- by following these measures you just might save a life!
Sincerely,
Stephen D. Tharp, MD
Clinton County Health Officer