Lots of people are planning to celebrate the Independence Day holiday this weekend, and those would include social gatherings.

Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf urges everyone to take precautions, such as keeping six feet apart from others, when in a social situation to prevent spreading COVID-19.

“If you maintain physical distance outside, masks aren’t necessarily needed. If you must be in a six-foot range of someone though, please wear a mask. Different households can sit together separately to maintain physical distancing.”

However, Wolf notes Greene County’s confirmed cases of COVID-19 doubled to 28 two weeks following Memorial Day weekend, which she believes the social gatherings that happened during that holiday can be attributed to the sudden rise in positive cases. Wolf expects that to  happen again with this weekend’s festivities and graduation parties that were held previously.

“We probably will see an uptick in cases within the next two weeks, due to just you know congregating more. So we’re always looking that 2-14 days after exposure when somebody can start having symptoms.”

Wolf reminds everyone to constantly use hand sanitizer or warm soapy water to wash your hands, clean frequently touched surfaces, cover your cough or sneeze and avoid touching your face.