SNEAK PEAK 10.1

County climbs nearer to 250 cases as average age goes back up

Clinton County continues to experience a serious uptick in COVID-19 cases.

According to Public Health Administrator Blair Shock, the county was up to 242 confirmed cases on Tuesday, September 29, of which 36 remained active. The total confirmed cases are up by nearly 20, as the health department reported 223 cases on Thursday, September 24.

“A concerning trend we have seen over the last week is an increase in the average age,” Shock said. “We are still seeing cases in school age children, but the majority of new cases we have seen are in those over 60 years of age. We have also seen a significant increase in hospitalized residents. Both of these trends are very concerning, as those in higher age brackets statistically fare the worst in terms of outcomes associated with COVID-19.

“We want to emphasize to everyone that taking appropriate protective measures, including social distancing, avoiding large group gatherings, wearing a mask in public, and regular handwashing, are paramount in reducing risk to yourself and those you come into contact with.”

School districts continue to work through the pandemic. In Lathrop, the school district has seen one new case among its staff, and the district currently has 16 students and staff members who are quarantined as of Tuesday. East Buchanan had one new case at its middle school in the last week. The district has 14 students and one staff member who are currently quarantined. The Clinton County R-III School District in Plattsburg currently has two positive cases among its ranks – one student and one teacher, both at Ellis Elementary. The district has 11 students and seven staff members who are quarantined.