Surge in Cases Worries Health Officials

Calling it sobering news, Teton County Health officer Jodie Pond said the metrics for COVID-19 infections has surged. Two weeks ago, Teton County had about 9.1 cases per 100000 people and now that figure is 39 per 100000.  Pond said of the rise in statistics, “If we were a state, we be the fourth highest in the country after Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi.”
Officials put the blame squarely on residents who have not followed the guidelines on social distancing and masks.
99 new cases have been reported in the county over the last two weeks with the majority of the positive tests being in those under 34 years old. Pond said that may explain the lack of hospitalizations.
As of Friday, 4 people were in the hospital with COVID-19, one of them in the Intensive Care Unit.
St John’s Health CEO Dr Paul Beaupre said, “The vast majority of this spread is us giving it to each other, not coming to us from visitors.” Beaupre said that large gatherings where social distancing can’t be done are creating new infections. “It’s our behavior that is causing this spread,” Beaupre said.

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