Overton County had 124 COVID-19 cases August 1. As of August 20 that number has almost tripled to 317.
Health Department Director Andy Langford said the county is averaging nine cases a day.
“We want to make sure that we continue to keep businesses, schools, and all other organizations as safe as they can, and we want things to remain open where we can continue to grow the…economy,” Langford said. “But at the same time, we ask that you do your part.”
Langford said during the last three weeks 45 cases from age 20 and younger have been confirmed. He said there must be a balance of safety between keeping schools open, and the welfare of Overton County.
Health Department Nursing Director Megan Reeder reviewed new quarantine ordinances from the state. She said quarantine could be up to 24 days if a household member tests positive. The infected patient must quarantine for 10 days, and household members are to be quarantined for 14 days.
Both Reeder and Livingston Mayor Curtis Hayes emphasized the importance of wearing a mask.
“If we’re ever going to get back to any sense of normalcy of all, that it is going to be important that everybody does their part,” Hayes said. “It’s not just for me to do my part and the other one don’t do their part, but for everyone to do their part so we can try to get some normalcy back to life.”