Four new COVID-19 patients were identified in Del Norte County on Monday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 12, according to the Public Health Branch.

These new cases were identified as of 5:05 p.m. Monday after four patients tested positive for the novel coronavirus over the weekend.

Public Health staff are working on tracing the origins for two clusters, Del Norte Emergency Services Manager Kymmie Scott told the Wild Rivers Outpost. It's not yet certain whether the two clusters are related, Scott said.

"They are either recovering at home or they're asymptomatic," she said. "A lot of people were discovered through contact tracing and testing."

The Del Norte Public Health Branch continues to conduct contact tracing using three staff members, Scott said. The county expects to expand its contact tracing capacity, she said.

The increase in cases has partially to do with Public Health staff urging people to get tested, said Public Health Officer Dr. Warren Rehwaldt in a report to the Crescent City Council on Monday.

Though it is a significant jump in positive novel coronavirus cases, Rehwaldt said, he urged residents not to be too alarmed.

"Some of this is just disease showing up at our border. Some of it is sending people to get tested," Rehwaldt told City Councilors. "People should expect to see more of it. There will be more cases."

With these new cases, a total of 591 tests have been administered in Del Norte County, according to the Public Health Branch. Eight cases are pending and 571 have come back negative.

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