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DHHR Reports Dramatic Drop in Putnam Covid Cases

On June 1st, the DHHR reported 20 new Covid-19 cases in Putnam County between May 25 and May 31. New cases in the previous 7-day period was 63. The 20 cases is the lowest 7-day total reported since July 6, 2020, when 13 new cases were reported.

The number of active cases in the county also tumbled, going from 323 on May 25 to 241 on May 31. Putnam’s active Covid cases were last below 241 on October 8, 2020, when the DHHR reported 230 cases. Putnam’s active Covid cases reached a high of 849 on December 14, 2020.

Putnam’s color on the DHHR Covid-Alert Map went from orange (high concern) to gold (moderate concern) to yellow (mild concern) to green (little concern) during the last seven days of May. Putnam’s green designation on Tuesday, June 1, was determined by the percentage of tests registering positive for the virus. When first placed in use, map color was determined by infection rate (the number of new cases per 100,000 population). Putnam’s color on June 1, based upon infection rate, would have been yellow.

Tuesday’s DHHR map had 34 counties showing green. Of the 34, only 13 registered a lower infection rate than Putnam. One week earlier, on May 24, the DHHR map had 46 counties displaying a better color than Putnam.

One factor which could explain Putnam’s improvement in statewide rank from 47th to 14th in the space of seven days is the county’s vaccination rate. Putnam’s fully vaccinated rate is 38%. Statewide, only 14 counties have a higher percentage of fully vaccinated residents.

While Putnam’s 38% is above the state average, medical experts believe that there will be a resurgence of new cases in the fall unless more than 60% are fully vaccinated.

Vaccine appointments can be made with the Putnam County Health Department by going online to bit.ly/3y8PJqm or by calling 304-757-2541.

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