According to Dr. Daniel Scheerer, on behalf of Dr. Jack Butterfield of the Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department, the county of Muskingum is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases.

The doctor warns that several daily records have been set over the previous five days.

Scheerer also stated that there are more patients with cases of COVID-19 in the hospital now than there has been since the pandemic began.

The positivity rate of those who are tested for the virus has also surpassed 10 percent, indicating that one in every ten individuals tested is diagnosed with COVID-19.

“This increases the likelihood that you could be exposed to someone who does not know that they have COVID-19,” said Scheerer.

The doctor reminded citizens that while he understands everyone is growing tired of the need to social distance and wear masks in public, that it is now more important than ever to practice those protective measures.