MOHAVE COUNTY – Late Wednesday afternoon, the Mohave County Health Department (MCDPH) Nursing staff was notified of 101 new COVID-19 confirmed cases. This includes two deaths that are not previously reported cases. One is a 50-59 year age range person in the Bullhead City service area. The other is an 80-89 person in the Kingman area.

Sixty-six of the new cases (including the death) are in the Bullhead City area. Twenty-seven cases are in the Lake Havasu City area. The final eight cases (including that death) are in the Kingman area.

Of the 66 Bullhead City area cases, 40 of them are cases still under investigation. Four of those are 11-19; eleven are 20-29; four are 30-39; seven are 40-49; eight are 50-59; one is 60-69; five are 70-79. Twenty-five of the Bullhead City area cases are recovering at home and are linked to another case. One is 11-19; one is 20-29; four are 30-39; four are 40-49; six are 50-59; three are 60-69; three are 70-79; three are 80-89. Again, the 66^th case is a fatality listed above.

Of the 27 Lake Havasu City area cases, 26 remain under investigation. Three are 11-19; seven are 20-29; three are 30-39; two are 40-49; one is 50-59;five are 60-69; two are 70-79; three are 80-89. The last Lake Havasu City area case is a 20-29 year age range person who is recovering at home and is linked to another confirmed case.

Of the eight Kingman area cases, one is the deceased mentioned above. One is a 40-49 person who is hospitalized. Three are recovering at home and are linked to another confirmed case. Of those three, two are 30-39 and one is 50-59. The final three Kingman cases are under investigation. One is 20-29; one is 50-59; one is 60-69.

There are now 277 positive confirmed cases in the Lake Havasu City area, including 13 deaths, 323 in Kingman, with a total of 44 deaths there, and 31 cases in “North County,” formerly referred to as “Other”(composed of a number of smaller Mohave County communities,) and 613 in Bullhead City, including 26 deaths. There are now a total of 83 deaths in the county from the disease. Total positive cases, 1,244.

The average age of all of the Mohave County positive cases is now 51 years old.

The average age of deaths from COVID-19 in Mohave County is now 78.8.

The number of Mohave County confirmed cases has risen dramatically. Please notice that the count includes all ages, not just the elderly. It is vital that people continue to practice Social Distancing and wear masks in public. Always wash your hands when returning to your office or home. Things might seem more normal now, but, we’re simply not there yet. Please be alert and be safe.

For those seeking more detailed stats about COVID-19 in Mohave County, the state of Arizona, and the country, go to https://covid-19-mohave.hub.arcgis.com/.

The Mohave County Department of Public Health makes contact with all confirmed cases and encourages self-isolation for ten days to two weeks, depending on their symptoms and unique work and living situation. Public Health staff then identify the people who have been exposed to the confirmed case (contact tracing) and encourage them to self-isolate until they are past the point of possibly developing the infection. Public Health monitors each confirmed case, and all of their contacts are during their quarantines.

Also, for additional statewide information about the COVID-19 response, go to: https://azdhs.gov/

There remains the problem of an overall lack of interest in wearing a mask, staying home when sick, and true adherence to social distancing. This allows the COVID-19 virus to continue its march through our county. Over confidence is not the best attitude.

Meanwhile, please keep in mind that the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are to:

*Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when unable to social distance.

*Maintain Social Distancing (at least 6 feet apart!)

*Stay at home if at all possible. 

* Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

*Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

* Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.

* Stay home when you are sick, or if you are a not an essential employee.

* Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the trash.

* Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

*Beware of false rumors and attempts to discredit COVID-19. It is not a hoax. Check reliable sources when new information comes out.

COVID-19 spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms are thought to appear within two to 14 days after exposure and consist of fever, cough, runny nose, and difficulty breathing. For people with mild illness, individuals are asked to stay home, drink plenty of fluids, and get rest. For people with more severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath, individuals are advised to seek healthcare, using telemedicine where available.

The post COVID-19 update: 101 new cases, two deaths on Wednesday first appeared on The Standard Newspaper Online.