Whitman County hits 19 confirmed cases of COVID-19

Most recent individual is 20-39-year-old male; risk of spread ranked as ‘limited’

EMMA LEDBETTER, Evergreen news editor

A male 20-39 years old tested positive for COVID-19, bringing Whitman County’s confirmed case count to 19.

The most recent patient, as well as the two individuals who tested positive before him, are stable and isolating at home, according to a press release from the Whitman County Emergency Operations Center. The last two cases were confirmed on May 14 and May 15. 

Sixteen people have recovered from the virus in the county, according to the press release. 

The recent increase in cases is an indicator that individuals need to maintain social distancing, according to the press release.

Whitman County currently has a limited, or “yellow,” risk of spread based on a seven-day case average, according to the Whitman County Health Department website. This means community spread has been limited with no more than one case per day and no congregate outbreaks. Other designations for risk of spread are low (green), moderate (orange) and high (red).

At least 903 people in Whitman County have tested negative for the virus, according to the website.