CLEARFIELD – A recent spike in COVID-19 cases locally has the Clearfield County Commissioners concerned.
The county has had 1,301 total cases since the pandemic began in March as well as 10 deaths. Of those cases, 1,050 are confirmed and 251 are probable.
Over 50 percent have been diagnosed in the past 14 days, said Commissioner Dave Glass at Tuesday’s board of commissioners’ meeting.
“As of Monday, our test positivity rate for the past two weeks is somewhere between 25 and 30 percent,” he said. “Anything above 5 percent is concerning and anything above 10 percent is considered ‘substantial.’
“We’re at least two-and-a-half times higher than what the state considers a ‘substantial’ test rate, which in layman’s terms means the virus is spreading uncontrollably through our community right now.”
Glass said the virus “doesn’t care about politics,” and if you’re not wearing a mask or taking the necessary precautions, you’re putting yourself and most importantly others at risk.”
Both Commissioners John A. Sobel and Tony Scotto, board chairman, agree.
With families gathering for Thanksgiving on Thursday, Scotto urged everyone to take COVID precautions. “Cases have spiked.
“That’s very concerning to us. Hospitals are getting hit; there’s a lot of cases coming in and an overload of those looking for tests.
“Just be cognizant of that, and do anything you can to mitigate the spread. So, wash your hands, social distance, wear masks. It will help us all out and hopefully lead to everyone having a better Christmas.”
Sobel reminded that it’s always darkest before the dawn, and vaccinations will soon be available and the pandemic will soon be under control.
“We’re going to turn the corner very quickly. Let’s just hang in there for a few more months. We’re so close and we don’t want to have anymore tragedies.”