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South and Mid-County saw a spike in COVID-19 cases today, as local health departments reported nine new coronavirus confirmations.

The City of Port Arthur Health Department received confirmation of eight additional Port Arthur residents who tested positive for Coronavirus Disease. These individuals include three females between the age ranges of 15-20, 35-40 and 75-80.

The other five individuals are males between the age ranges of 30-35, 50-55, 55-60, 65-70 and 75-80.

For confidentiality purposes, the PAHD is not releasing any additional information to identify these individuals.

These new confirmations brings the total to 82 individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Port Arthur.

Also Thursday, the Port Arthur and Jefferson County Health Departments received confirmation of an additional positive COVID-19 case in a resident of Groves.

This individual is a male between the age range of 40-45.

For confidentiality purposes the health departments are not releasing any additional information to identify this individual.

This brings the total to 19 individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 for the City of Groves.

According to the City of Groves, eight of the cases are active.

“We are seeing another spike in cases and want to remind all of our citizens that the virus is still present in our city,” Groves officials said. “Please remain vigilant in your social distancing and hygiene. Wearing a mask out in public can also help to prevent the spread of the virus. At this time, we will continue to keep our splash pad and playground equipment closed.”

The City of Groves announced it does not have the manpower nor the ability to keep these areas cleaned and sanitized. So, for the safety of our citizens they need to keep them closed at this time.

“We are constantly monitoring this and will open them as soon as we feel they are safe for the public to use,” the city said. “Our library is open inside for technology use only for the same reasons and we are monitoring this facility as well. Please continue to keep our community strong during this time and we will get through this as quickly as possible.”