There has been an increase in the amount of COVID-19 cases in Marshall County on a daily basis. On Tuesday, there was an increase of nine cases in Marshall County since Monday, rising the total number to 1,059.

Last week, the number of cases in the county rose by one to three each day.

Pat Thompson, Marshall County Public Health Nurse, is not surprised at the increase.

“People are getting together more and when people congregate, you can expect this to happen,” she said. “There was an uptick of cases two weeks after Easter, after Father’s Day.”

Thompson understands that people want to get out and spend time with friends and family, but she said that creates a greater chance to get infected with COVID-19.

“Social distancing and masks covering faces does help,” Thompson said. “People are breathing each other’s air. Staying away from each other will lessen and prevent spread.”

COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon, she said. It will be a long time before a vaccine is available, Thompson said.

“When a vaccine is available remains to be seen,” she said. “I know companies are being very diligent in trying to get it done and manufactured. Getting the vaccine out will be another experience. My hope is that people will get the vaccine. Every vaccine given is one more person who is protected.”

Getting tested is also an important aspect, especially if someone is exposed.

In June, 270 Test Iowa tests from Marshall and Linn counties were damaged by an equipment malfunction at the Iowa State Hygienic Lab. The equipment issue has been fixed and did not occur at the Test Iowa site at Marshalltown Community College.

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611

or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.