LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. — Additional mitigation measures are being considered in Lincoln County as COVID-19 cases continue to rise.
The Lincoln County Health Department said the county is under an extreme risk advisory for COVID-19 - according to Missouri's newest guidance - as the 7-day positivity rate is 28.2% and the 7-day case rate per 100,000 is 351.
If COVID-19 metrics don't significantly improve over the next week, the department said it will take steps to implement additional mitigation measures, which include a mask mandate.
Lincoln County Health Department administrator Brett Siefert told 5 On Your Side's Justina Coronel, they believe communities could self regulate. But as the numbers increase, that may change.
"We’ve been slow to act on the orders," Siefert added. "If we see even higher numbers than we’re seeing now, especially with that holiday surge, we probably will increase efforts."
He said one main concern is not overwhelming health care systems with COVID-19 patients.
"Some regional hospitals are already stretched to the limit," a release from Lincoln County Health Department said. "When hospitals are overwhelmed it makes access to care difficult for everyone, not just COVID-19 patients."
According to the Lincoln County Health Department, Mercy Hospital Lincoln requested the field hospital on Wednesday.
The field hospital is essentially a large tent that can hold patients.
A spokesperson for Mercy Hospital says the field hospital request is only a contingency. Right now, at this time, Mercy Lincoln is not at maximum capacity.
"The strain on the healthcare system has reached Troy. We are urging residents to be smart and take steps to protect each other. PLEASE social distance, wear a mask, and wash your hands. We need your help," Lincoln County Health Department said on Facebook.
For Lincoln County, there may be several reasons for the surge besides the holidays.
It's crossing county lines that could attribute to the spread.
"In Lincoln county, a lot of our residents work and play in nearby counties, so activity like that will increase rates of disease transmission," Siefert added.
For Troy resident Aaron Engelbrecht, he's feeling lucky his dad is OK now from COVID-19.
But he explained that when he's out in his community, masks are almost out of sight.
Many may not have seen the effects first hand like he has.
"Just due to population density out here, we haven’t been hit as hard as a lot of places. Because of the low population density people aren’t seeing it," Engelbrecht said.
On Nov. 13, Dr. Alex Garza, the head of the task force, called for statewide measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 including a face mask mandate; a statewide "safer at home" policy and a plan to help health care workers. Missouri Governor Mike Parson has reiterated that he would not put a statewide mask order in place.
"Adopting universal masking policies can help avert future lockdowns, especially if combined with other non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing, hand hygiene, and adequate ventilation," the CDC said in its document that details scientific evidence.