As the Delta variant has become predominate, COVID numbers are rising in Putnam County.  The CDC has elevated the community transmission level for Putnam from moderate to substantial.  Putnam County’s 7-day incidence rate has nearly doubled from July 25th to August 1st, with a rise in cases from 42 to 83 cases per 100,000 people.  The percent of positive tests during that time increased from 1.2 to 2.7 percent.  Putnam County’s Health Commissioner acknowledged that everyone is tired of COVID-19, but noted that it is still a very new disease and the long-term consequences are not fully understood.  The Commissioner says this underscores the importance for everyone—including young healthy people who are at lower risk for hospitalization and death—to take COVID seriously.