The Bell County Health Department’s COVID-19 update for Monday included nine new individual cases in Bell County, and a total of more than 1,600 cases countywide since the beginning of the pandemic.

According to the Bell County Health Department, Bell County reached a total of 1,656 cases, with seven people hospitalized.

Those hospitalized were males between the ages of 59 and 84. A 70-year-old female was also hospitalized.

There were 103 active individual cases and 15 active long-term care cases.

There have been 30 deaths in Bell County related to COVID-19 as of Monday.

The Bell County Health Department recommends the following steps to help slow the spread of COVID-19:
• Wash hands with soap and water before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or after using the restroom;
• Avoid contact with people who are sick;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth;
• Wear a mask when in public and social distancing is difficult.