MOHAVE COUNTY – Late this afternoon, the Mohave County Health Department (MCDPH) Nursing staff was notified of 27 new COVID-19 confirmed cases and one death.  The death is from a previously reported case in the Kingman service area. That person is in the 70-79 year age range.  Twenty of the new cases are in the Bullhead City service area. Six are in the Lake Havasu City service area. One is in the Kingman service area.

Of the 20 Bullhead City area cases, 17 are recovering at home and their cases are under investigation. Of those, three are 0-10; six are 20-29; two are 30-39; three are 40-49; three are 50-59.  Of the three remaining Bullhead City area cases, all are recovering at home and are linked to another confirmed case.  One is 40-49 and the other two are 80-89.

Of the six Lake Havasu City area cases, five are recovering at home and the cases are under investigation. One of those is 20-29; one is 40-49; two are 50-59; one is 70-79. The final Lake Havasu City area case is a 30-39 year age range person, who is recovering at home and is not linked to another confirmed case.

The sole remaining case is a 50-59 person in the Kingman area, who is recovering at home and is linked to another confirmed case.

There are now 137 positive confirmed cases in the Lake Havasu City area, including 11 deaths, 285 in Kingman, with a total of 41 deaths there, and 23 cases in “North County,” formerly referred to as “Other”(composed of a number of smaller Mohave County communities,)  and 306 in Bullhead City, including 18 deaths.  There are now a total of 71 deaths in the county from the disease. Total positive cases, 751.

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

As of now. The MCDPH is reporting a total of 296 recovered cases in the county.  This will be updated once a week on Mondays for the previous week.*

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 Here (this site is always being updated. As of this writing, it may not have the latest cases listed above):    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: 

*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: 27 new cases, one death first appeared on The Standard Newspaper Online.