By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Henry County’s COVID-19 cases continue to spike, with 102 active cases reported today.
Henry County’s active cases have risen dramatically over the past few weeks, significantly higher than in the surrounding area counties.
On the State of Tennessee’s Henry County Data Snapshot, it notes “over the last 14 days (7-16 to 7-29), Henry County has averaged 7.9 new cases reported per day.” For the previous 14 days, the average was 3.9 new cases per day.
Meanwhile, other area counties are reporting the following number of active cases: Obion 42; Carroll 49; Benton 39; Weakley 53; Stewart 7.
Both Henry County Schools and Paris Special Schools have announced they are recommending mask wearing as both districts prepare to begin school next week.
The Paris Special Schools District posted a statement on its Facebook page Friday, noting that:
“PSSD is following CDC guidance in recommending the wearing of masks. The CDC guidance is posted below:
“*Students benefit from in-person learning, and safely returning to in-person instruction in the fall 2021 is a priority.
*Vaccination is currently the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Promoting vaccination can help schools safely return to in-person learning as well as extracurricular activities and sports.
*Masks should be worn indoors by all individuals (age 2 and older) who are not fully vaccinated. Consistent and correct mask use by people who are not fully vaccinated is especially important indoors and in crowded settings, when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
*CDC recommends schools maintain at least 3 feet of physical distance between students within classrooms, combined with indoor mask wearing by people who are not fully vaccinated, to reduce transmission risk. When it is not possible to maintain a physical distance of at least 3 feet, such as when schools cannot fully re-open while maintaining these distances, it is especially important to layer multiple other prevention strategies, such as indoor masking.”
At Henry County Medical Center, officials continue to post regular updates of COVID cases on its Facebook page. “HCMC continues to see COVID-19 positive cases climb in the facility, they said. “Please follow CDC guidelines and social distance, mask, follow proper handwashing, and get vaccinated!”
And, Paris First Christian Church has announced it is reinstating its mask mandate.
The church’s statement reads in part:
“All week, we have been watching the number of cases of the Delta variant of the Covid virus increase in Paris and Henry County. We hoped we had reached the end of our struggle with this virus, but that is not the case.
“On Tuesday, the CDC sent out new guidelines calling for everyone in counties where the real-time risk of infection is high to begin wearing masks again when indoors. Henry County has been identified as an area of high risk, and the caseload at the medical center is steadily rising. Because of this, we will now ask everyone to wear masks while inside our building until the risk of infection decreases. This includes both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons, due to the risk of transmission.
We recognize that the need to wear masks again will perhaps displease every single one of you. We realize you are tired and frustrated. Your feelings are valid. This is an unprecedented crisis.
However, as Christians, we must remember following Jesus is never about our own wants and desires, or even comfort. The Gospel calls us to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. In this particular time, loving our neighbors means acknowledging our responsibility for the health and wellness of one another and the community. We know masks work. We know vaccinations work. We encourage each of you to make choices that protect the health of yourselves and our community.”
Meanwhile, across the state line in Kentucky, the Murray Independent Schools announced late Friday afternoon it is delaying the opening of schools due to the spike in COVID cases. In a Facebook post, Superintendent Coy Samons said, “First Day for students K-12 will be Thursday, August 12, 2021 and Preschool classes begin Thursday, August 19. Opening Day for staff moved to Wednesday, August 11.”
In Mayfield (Graves County), Baptist Health Hospital has announced it is suspending visitation in the ER. In its announcement, hospital officials said, “For the past two weeks, Baptist Health has seen a steady increase in the number of COVID-19 patients seeking care from the Emergency Department.”