In a week where coronavirus case numbers have been fluctuating along with outside temperatures, Lyon County Public Health Nurse Melissa Smith joined KVOE’s Morning Show Friday to discuss some trends and tips for staying cool and staying safe.
This week has been up and down in terms of new COVID cases as Monday we saw an increase of 14 new positive or probable positive cases, followed by one on Tuesday, none on Wednesday and four Thursday. Smith says while numbers are beginning to trend downward more frequently, the county is “not out of the woods yet.”
The fluctuation comes as temperatures begin to reach back up into the mid to upper 90’s, which to some is a welcomed development when it comes to COVID-19. As you may have heard in recent months, a rumor has been circulating that heat is damaging to the virus with many believing the hotter it gets the weaker the virus becomes.
Unfortunately, Smith says at this time there is no evidence to say whether or not that rumor is actually a fact.
While restrictions are beginning to ease locally, Smith still encourages residents to continue best health practices including wearing masks or face coverings in public. However; Smith says with the high heat moving into the area there is a possibility that wearing masks could exacerbate heat-related illnesses.
Due to this possibility, Smith says residents need to “take that into consideration for themselves.” She says if residents are unable to wear masks “all the time” it is important to follow other health practices such as social distancing, limiting time outdoors and effective hand washing to help reduce the potential spread of COVID-19.
For more information visit Publichealth.Lyoncounty.org.
