MOUNT VERNON — The total of positive test cases has reached 19, according to Knox County Health Department’s latest totals released on Monday night.
“We were notified of another positive case, a 30-year-old woman who works in Licking County,” said Pam Palm, Public Information Officer at the Knox County Health Department. “For what it’s worth, 11 of the 19 cases we have recorded for Knox County residents who work outside of the county … that’s not a criticism of people who work elsewhere, but an observation of the vulnerability our mobile society presents at a time like this.”
Palm said Knox County has topped 200 specimens submitted for testing.
“There has been an obvious increase in testing which I think is resulting in an increase in identification of positive cases,” Palm said. “We’ve been submitting specimens since March 10.”
In the first 37 days, March 10 to April 15, Knox County submitted specimens from 103 people, with 11 testing positive. In half of that time, (18 days) April 16 to May 4, Knox County submitted an additional 100 specimens with eight testing positive.
“With the expansion of testing criteria, we expect to see more testing locally, and possibly more positive tests,” Palm said.
