COVID-19 numbers continued to drop in DeKalb County last week, though the number of cases in the DeKalb School District went up. Officials say that while the number of cases are declining, they are still well above the case counts seen early this summer.

DeKalb County reports a total of 4,120 cases, with 3,951 people reported recovered. There are currently 169 active cases in the county, with the death toll now at 67. There are currently 105 people hospitalized.

The DeKalb County School District reported 17 positive cases of COVID on Friday, October 8, up from eight the same time a week earlier. The number of those under quarantine was 46 compared to 47 the previous week. District reported DeKalb County High School had six cases, DeKalb Middle School had four cases, Smithville Elementary had four, Northside Elementary had three, and DeKalb West School had zero. The number of those under quarantine district-wide was 46, with DeKalb West School having 12, Northside Elementary 11, DCHS nine, Smithville Elementary nine, and DeKalb Middle School five.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to be spread through person-to-person contact, mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or be inhaled into the lungs. Spreading the virus is more likely to occur when people are in close contact with one another (within about six feet for 15 minutes or more).

Masks help to slow the spread of the virus. They also help keep people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Wear masks in public settings when around people not living in your household and particularly where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations.