At 880 positive cases of COVID-19 for August – a tenfold increase over June and July combined – Knox Public Health (KPH) reported its highest case count in eight months.
In a Sept. 2 press release, the agency pinpointed the highest increase to be among those age 18 and under.
The increase among youth is particularly concerning with students returning to classrooms in August. High school and middle school students account for 73% of increase in youth cases, with 16% of the cases among elementary students. Children under age five account for 11%, including three cases under age one.
“The increase in positive cases among students not only affects the individuals but also classmates and family members who may have to quarantine because of being a close contact,” said KPH Deputy Health Commissioner Zach Green. “That keeps more students out of school and group activities like sports. Plus, parents may be unable to go to work.”
KPH has been working with local schools to implement multiple prevention strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including masking, social distancing, good ventilation and good hygiene practices, plus vaccination of school personnel. In some schools where outbreaks have occurred, students and staff are being asked to wear a mask.
Since last spring, there have been 593 individuals in Knox County age 18 and under who have tested positive for COVID-19; there have been seven hospitalizations but no deaths.
COVID-19 vaccines remain plentiful in Knox County and are available at Knox Public Health as well as several pharmacies and doctor’s offices. Three different brands of vaccine are available for adults age 18 and older. The Pfizer vaccine has been approved for children ages 12 -17. It takes five weeks to be fully vaccinated.
To make an appointment at Knox Public Health to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or be tested for COVID-19, call 740-399-8008. Other locations for testing and vaccine are listed on the KPH website at knoxhealth.com.
Knox Public Health is at 11660 Upper Gilchrist Road, Mount Vernon, and is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The agency was closed on Monday in observance of Labor Day.
