Winneshiek Medical Center issues COVID-19 warning

With COVID-19 cases again on the rise in Winneshiek County, the Winneshiek Medical Center has issued a warning for this weekend for area residents:

"COVID-19 is actively being spread in our local communities right now! Most of our recent positives are a result of family or social gatherings, both indoor and outdoor.  We know similar activities are part of many people's plans this holiday weekend.

While you yourself may not be in a high risk category, there is clear and compelling evidence that the virus can easily be spread from people who appear well and feel well.  A number of our positive cases are a result of small outdoor gatherings, indicating no activity is without risk. If you feel you must participate in any social gathering, the only real way to minimize your risk and protect others is to wear a mask, maintain a 6-foot distance between you and people who don't live with you, do frequent hand hygiene, and avoid crowds of any size."

Winneshiek County had been steady at 24 COVID-19 cases for almost all of June, but in the last week 12 new cases have been reported to bring the total to 36.