Stone County Judge Stacey Avey told White River Now Monday he’s not sure what prompted the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the county.
In the north central Arkansas area, numbers from the Arkansas Department of Health show a strong COVID-19 presence in Stone County. In fact, out of 12 north central Arkansas counties, Stone County, one of the smallest of those counties in terms of population, currently has 28 percent of the total number of cases from this entire 12-county area. (Click here for more on this story.)
Avey told White River Now’s Gary Bridgman the county’s rural areas have more cases than higher populated areas in the county such as Mountain View.
Plus vaccination turnout has been weak in Stone County — which is also a contributing factor, Avey said, noting he personally urges county residents to get vaccinated.
“It’s a very simple thing to do and absolutely free,” he said. “You and your neighbors deserve it, and besides, it makes you feel better when you know the vaccine is 95-to-98 percent guaranteed to keep you safe from the virus.”
Before he was vaccinated, Avey had a very bad case of COVID-19 in March of 2020, saying it really took a toll on him.
“I don’t want to go through that again,” he said. (Click here for info on this story.)
Avey also urged citizens that will be in gatherings of large people to wear a mask and use hand sanitizer.
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