County COVID cases surge; hospital census low

More than 20 percent of the 330 COVID-19 cases in Marengo County reported as of Thursday have occurred in the last two weeks.

The 71 cases testing positive over the last 14 days are 21.5 percent of the total number diagnosed in the county.

Whatever the reason for recent jump, “Our census is fairly low in COVID patients,” said Whitfield Regional Hospital CEO/Administrator Doug Brewer.

He believes more patients are being admitted for putting off visiting physicians or neglecting the treatment of their medical conditions than because of the virus.

Even though more are testing positive, they don’t seem to be as sick, he continued. “I always hesitate to say anything because I don’t want to give the impression that it’s not bad, but by the same token, we’ve had six or seven COVID positive patients in house for the last couple of weeks now.”

That compares with up to 25 previously.

Fewer patients with better outcomes can be attributed to understanding the best ways to treat the virus and the use of medicines that have proven effective, such as remdesivir, he said.

Still, Brewer encouraged everyone to continue wearing masks. “There are a lot of people getting (COVID-19),” he said, but they seem to be able to stay at home while they are ill instead of being admitted to the hospital.

 Brewer believes some of the higher numbers are the result of people getting out and about more. Several new cases also are among WRH personnel “even in the last week,” he added, whether they contracted the new virus in the community or at the hospital.

According to state figures, the percentage of positive cases in Marengo County was 17.84 percent over the last two weeks. The state registered 48,588 Thursday, with 2,164 new cases begin reported that day.