The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released a map showing lots of data on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf says the transmission map shows county-specific information, including community transmission of the virus within the county, number of people who have been vaccinated, as well as testing rates and results, and positivity rates. The transmission rates range between low to high. 

“And interestingly, when this first came out last week, we were in the moderate (level) and then over the weekend we pushed right up into (the) high (level). That corresponds with what we’ve been seeing for activity over the last week or so. We’ve had 15 new cases of COVID-19 in just the last seven days.”

Wolf points out the county’s 14-day positivity rate is now just over 19-percent, after being at zero-percent earlier this summer. She says positive cases of COVID-19 range from two year olds to adults, including a higher increase in adolescents and teens.  

“So that is concerning to see that we are starting to see cases in those age groups because we’re not too far away from school starting. And also, we’re already starting sports practices for some of the sports.”

Wolf adds, the COVID-19 vaccines continue to be the best defense against the virus, as well as the Delta variant. She says public health is hosting a back-to-school immunization clinic tonight and next Wednesday from 4-7pm at their main office in the Greene County Medical Center. Required as well as recommended immunizations to school will be offered, including the COVID-19 vaccine for anyone 12 and older. Appointments are necessary by contacting public health at 515-386-3228.