COVID cases surge again

County health officials reported an unexpected surge in COVID-19 cases Wednesday — 29 new cases, 11 more than in each of their two previous reports, Monday and Friday.

Wednesday’s new cases represented the seventh highest single-day total on record.

However, because of lower numbers in previous reports, the county’s seven-day total declined to its lowest since Jan. 3, retreating from an all-time record of 90 to 65. That number is still high — just 3 below the crest of the pandemic’s post-Thanksgiving surge.

Since Oct. 6, the county has remained a federal “red zone,” with the infection rate for the total population increasing by 5.6 times the standard for designation as a red zone.

With the latest cases, the county has had 824 total cases of COVID-19 since April 1.

The county’s case rate is 69.3 per 1,000.

As of Wednesday, 100 county residents — just short of the previous record of 108 — were continuing to experience symptoms or receive treatment or were under active orders to isolate themselves from others. Four of them were hospitalized.

No additional deaths were reported Wednesday, but deaths can take several weeks to appear in official data.

The next update from county officials is not expected until Friday.

Facemasks continue to be required in public, and maintaining at least six feet distance from others is recommended at all times, even when wearing a mask.