Greene County Public Health is continuing to keep track and report local information to state authorities concerning COVID-19.

However, Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf says they are overwhelmed with the amount of cases that they have been handling.

“But we’re doing okay. Like all public health agencies across Iowa, we are trying very, very hard and we’re putting in long hours to keep up with the case investigations and fielding calls from the public.”

Before the spike in numbers, on October 29th, Wolf reported 200 positive cases in Greene County, with 34 new cases in the last 14 days and a 5.8-percent positivity rate. Then on November 25th, Wolf reported 527 positive cases, with 212 new cases in the 14 days and a 21.8-percent positivity rate. Wolf notes that they have contact tracers from the Iowa Department of Public Health to lessen their caseload, but that may also cause delays in some of the test results for COVID-19. She offers this advice for those thinking about getting tested.

“Make sure that if you’re going to get a test, don’t go out and get a test if you start having symptoms right away. Wait at least 48-hours before you do that test so that we can make sure we get as accurate as possible for your result.”

Wolf adds, the delays in test results are mostly due to the higher amount of individuals being tested.