Saint Thomas River Park Hospital CEO Dale Humphrey says local COVID-19 cases have been trending down the past two weeks.

“Warren County stands at 965 cases, 851 recoveries, and eight deaths,” said Humphrey during Warren County’s weekly coronavirus press conference on Tuesday. “That equals a 0.8% death rate.”

The national death rate is 2.95% and the state death rate is 1.2%.

“Warren County has had 12,600 tests performed and as a county we have been trending down for the past 14 days, which I believe is a direct result of our county’s mask mandate,” Humphrey said.

Humphrey said the number of COVID-19 patients currently being treated at Saint Thomas River Park reflects the county’s downward trend.

“Within Saint Thomas River Park Hospital, we continue to treat positive COVID-19 patients in our emergency department, hospital, ICU, and clinics. Just two weeks ago we had double-digit numbers within our hospital,” Humphrey said. “Luckily, we only have one positive patient currently admitted in the COVID unit of our hospital.”

Visitors at the hospital are continuing to be limited to those absolutely necessary and facemasks are still required of all patients, visitors, associates and physicians. The hospital continues to provide healthcare-grade facemasks if needed.

“However, as numbers continue to go down we will revise our visitation policy accordingly,” said Humphrey.

Humphrey emphasized the importance of masking, social distancing, and proper hygiene and reported these practices worldwide are decreasing the number of flu cases in countries well into their flu season.