BY JUSTIN SABATA
Ellis County saw a significant increase in COVID-19 cases since early last week according to reports Monday. During the weekend, the county saw a 23 case increase — the other 49 new cases reported were from earlier in the week.
Since Monday, 38 new cases have been reported by the Ellis County Health Department and 127 total cases are currently being monitored by the ECHD, with the weekly percent-of-positives at 11.47. The nationwide weekly percent-of-positives rate was at 6.4 on Tuesday, according to Our World in Data.
Several house parties and other large gatherings have been reported near campus. Last Friday, FHSU and the ECHD confirmed several individuals who tested positive for COVID attended house parties and bars throughout Hays. The county health department has frequently updated the public on recommendations to reduce the spread of the virus.
In a press release published Wednesday evening, the department summarized the current COVID situation in the county.
“We are seeing a dramatic uptick in COVID-19 cases in Ellis County this week,” the release said. “The cases that we are seeing this week are from activity two weeks ago. We will not see the impact of decisions made this week for another two weeks.”
The ECHD also stated the importance of mitigation measures and community involvement:
“If you have not taken mitigation measures yet, please do so now,” the release said. “We’re currently in the acceleration phase of this wave. If no mitigation measures are taken, it will take us longer to reach the plateau.”
More information can be found on the ECHD website. FHSU students are also recommended to use the university’s COVID-19 Portal site.