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We know you’re tired of hearing about it, and we know you wish it would go away, but it looks like we’re starting to see an uptick in COVID-19 cases again.

Since the start of May, Troup County has gradually seen its numbers of COVID-19 cases increase, although the number of cases is no longer a great way to judge how rampant the virus is. Many people are now using at-home kits, and most of the positives from those tests never get reported.

But we’ve heard from people in the community who have dealt with COVID-19 recently. It’d been a while since we heard from anyone locally who dealt with a case, though COVID never went away.  With that in mind, we’re here to remind you that even during the summer months, and yes, even two years into the pandemic, that you should take steps to reduce your chances of getting sick. That includes washing your hands, keeping six feet from people around you (especially someone with symptoms) and monitoring your own symptoms.

And guess what? That doesn’t just work for COVID-19. It works to prevent other illnesses too. Many have vacations coming up, meaning it’s even more important to protect yourself and prevent getting sick. No one wants their vacation canceled by COVID. And while it’s true that life is back to normal for most of us, it’s important to remember that people are still dying around the world on a daily basis from this virus.

Even without a mask, keeping your hands clean and keeping your distance from others can help keep you well.