Warren County health officials are repeating a call for community members to take responsible precautions in the face of a rapidly growing number of COVID-19 cases.

Warren County Health Administrator Ruth Walters said the number of active cases of the virus at the end of July was more than the total number of cases detected in the three months prior.

As of Aug. 4, Warren County has 178 positive cases, with 67 active and 111 recovered. Walters said the health department was notified of 25 of those cases on Monday this week, and another 105 were detected throughout the month of July.

“That is folks getting together for barbecues, family weddings and such,” Walters commented. “We encourage everyone to just be safe in their behaviors when going out.”

She reiterated that whenever people are out in public, they should be wearing a face mask, maintaining 6 feet of distance from other people, and washing their hands frequently.

“If we could just be responsible when out in public ... we hope to get this under control,” Walters commented.

The health department is asking for these precautions even from people who don’t feel sick, because the virus can be spread before developing any symptoms.

More information about COVID-19 prevention is regularly distributed on the Warren County Health Department’s Facebook page. The department can also be contacted by calling 636-456-7474.

Since lifting a partial shutdown order in June, the Warren County government has encouraged that mentality of personal responsibility to limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of the community. Members of the Warren County Commission have said they plan to tie the county’s

guidelines and restrictions to statewide recommendations issued by Gov. Mike Parsons and the Department of Health and Senior Services.