COVID-19 cases popping up again

Some states around the country are beginning to see cases of COVID-19 occurring again, even in people who have been vaccinated.

The same is true in Perkins County. 

Westview Retirement Community in Grant had four positive cases of COVID-19 in the last week. 

Connie Pofahl, executive director, said all four residents have returned to the facility. Of those infected, three were previously vaccinated. 

Pofahl said the facility will remain open to visitors but those visitors must wear a mask inside the facility. 

For the next 10 days or so, she said they’re halting group dining and activities and residents are asked to confine themselves to their rooms.

 Neil Hilton, CEO at Perkins County Health Services, said the hospital has admitted three patients with COVID-19 thus far in July and all three have been discharged. 

Dana McCartor, director of nursing, said there was a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated patients.

 In both May and June, Hilton said the hospital saw just two cases each month. There were no cases in April and only one in March as more people exercised the option to get vaccinated. 

A variant of the COVID-19 virus is believed to be responsible for the uptick in cases. McCartor said tests were sent to the state lab to determine if the cases were from the variant. Thus far, no results have been returned. 

Hilton said people wanting the vaccine can get it at the hospital.