ELKINS — Local healthcare officials want the public to be aware that COVID-19 is still relevant and that there has recently been a small spike in positive test numbers among area residents.

“Our numbers aren’t up dramatically for COVID, but they are increasing all over the state,” Bonnie Woodrum, the Randolph-Elkins Health Department’s infectious disease specialist, told The Inter-Mountain Friday. “We have been getting sporadic reports and I’ve gotten calls this week from people who have home tests, so it is increasing.” 

Woodrum said a new vaccine will be coming out this fall to combat the strain of COVID that is surfacing, which is a new variant of the virus. She added that the current guidelines are simple to follow.

“If someone tests positive they should stay home for at least five days,” Woodrum said. “If the symptoms are all gone after that they can go back out with a mask on. And while at home, they should be wearing a mask around other people and stay as isolated as they can. Because it is still contagious, even if the symptoms are not there.”

Woodrum said there may be a slight spike after the current holiday weekend and is encouraging the public to take precautions.

“I expect we will have a spat of it after the weekend,” Woodrum said. “If people have symptoms, any kind of cold or allergy symptoms that come on, suspect that it might be COVID; at least wear a mask and have strict hand washing until being tested.

“A lot of the symptoms are mild and people think that it is something else when it is COVID. So if anyone has symptoms they need to protect their family and other people they are around by at least wearing a mask and washing their hands.”

Woodrum pointed out that COVID is currently the third leading killer in the United States behind cancer and heart attacks.

“COVID has always been here, it never went away,” she said. “It’s out there, and nationwide and statewide it’s increasing. Right now Randolph County is staying kind of even.”

With summer winding down, both Respirator Syncytial Virus (RSV) and the flu will also begin to start surfacing among the public. Woodrum warned that RSV is highly contagious, and noted a vaccine will be available for it after October.

“RSV is especially dangerous for babies and it’s really contagious,” Woodrum said. “People need to be really careful if they are around any infants in the hospital. They need to make sure they gown up before they hold them, change their linens, or do anything else around them.”

For more information on vaccinations, contact the Randolph-Elkins Health Department at 304-636-0396.