SALYERSVILLE – As the Delta variant continues to spread throughout the region, Magoffin County is seeing a notable spike in cases, with officials asking people to get vaccinated and to wear masks in public, again.
The Magoffin County Health Department confirmed for Mortimer Media Group that there were three new COVID-19 cases reported in June for Magoffin County, 37 in July and we are on pace to beat those numbers combined this week, alone.
On Monday, MCHD reported 22 new cases, four on Tuesday and 10 on Wednesday this week. Of the 14 cases in the last two days, only one of those people were fully vaccinated. At press time, five Magoffin Countians are hospitalized with COVID-19.
The health department posted on Tuesday to social media:
Contact tracing is still taking place for individuals who test positive for COVID. Quarantine and isolation guidelines are still required for those who test positive and/or a contact of someone who is positive.
Please be patient and kind to our public health nurses who are working diligently to call everyone and help keep others safe.
Everyone plays a part and can make a difference in slowing the transmission of COVID. Get a shot, wear a mask, limit activities during this “red” period, cancel an event, or do all of these things to help make a difference.
The Magoffin County Health Department is still taking appointments of anyone over 18 years of age for COVID-19 Moderna vaccine. People can call the Magoffin County Health Department at 606-349-6212 to schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine.
Walgreens is also taking appointments for the vaccine, with people able to go online at www.walgreens.com to schedule their first and second appointments for the Pfizer vaccine.
People will have to fill out a brief questionnaire to determine eligibility and make or sign into their Walgreens account to schedule the appointments.
Also available in this region, people can still call or go online to get on the vaccine list at any of the following providers: multiple Big Sandy Healthcare locations, Paul B. Hall Medical Center, Highlands ARH, Pikeville Medical Center, Kings Daughters in Ashland, ARH West Liberty and Saint Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead.
As with any vaccination, the COVID-19 vaccines are not 100% effective at keeping you from getting the virus, however, they greatly decrease the chances of you catching it and, much like the flu shot, if you get the virus after being fully vaccinated you are much less likely to have severe symptoms.
The Magoffin County School Board is expected to meet later this week to discuss how the current COVID-19 statistics will affect the upcoming school year, which is slated to begin August 11. The Independent will share any and all changes as that information becomes available.
