As COVID-19 cases rise in Seward County, a special Seward County community sector briefing was held on Thursday, Sept. 9 to keep community members informed.
Laura McDougall, executive director of Four Corners Health Department, said as of the night of Sept. 8, the area had seen 163 new cases in the last seven days.
McDougall said Four Corners has seen record breaking days of positive cases in recent weeks.
With those positive cases, McDougall said, compared to the last year-and-a-half, she has seen more kids receiving positive COVID tests.
“The last seven days we've had 28% of our positives have been kids between the ages of zero and 19,” McDougall said.
The day of the briefing, McDougall said 45% of positive cases were kids in the same age range.
“Most of the kids are doing pretty well, they're not as sick as some of the older people that we see getting it,” she said. “We do know that our vaccine rates are lower in the kids, and in 11 and under, there are no vaccinated kids. It does make sense that we're seeing more cases in those age groups.”
Along with still hosting vaccine clinics, Four Corners continues to conduct case investigations following up with people who have tested positive for the virus but is now doing so with surveys over text or email.
With positive cases, McDougall said they are still recommending quarantining in certain cases.
“We're recommending that because we're seeing this illness really will affect the whole family, or housemates,” McDougall said. “It seems to kind of sweep through a household, and vaccination status also does affect if we asked people to quarantine or we might perhaps ask people that they wear a mask just to protect others.”
Four Corners also recommends that people wear their masks indoors regardless of vaccination status.
“Those who are vaccinated and are getting COVID, we're seeing a lot milder symptoms,” McDougall said. “We are seeing that the people who are unvaccinated are having more severe symptoms.”
Roger Reamer, chief executive officer at Memorial Health Care Systems, said as of Sept. 9 there were 379 positive COVID cases across the state, which is up from the previous weeks total of 342.
“We expect that to continue to grow,” Reamer said.
To help tackle the pandemic, the hospital continues to offer vaccines by appointment. The Moderna vaccine is available on Tuesdays and Pfizer on Thursdays. Third doses will also be available for those approved to receive it.
