CADIZ — Harrison County’s COVID-19 cases have increased over the past couple weeks with most of the new positive results found in individuals in the 20-40 age range — a group that officials are encouraging to become vaccinated.

Garen Rhome, administrator of the county’s health department, said there have been 11 new cases in the past week, a “relatively large increase” in cases for the county with a population just over 15,000. He said most of those new cases are individuals in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

“The cases that we are seeing are in this younger population. … Generally the vaccinated population in the congregate living, were not seeing anything. So the vaccine is working in those who are vaccinated. We’re working on encouraging 20s, 30s, 40s to come out and get that vaccine so we can get through this,” he said.

Rhome said officials are hoping to attract more middle aged and younger adults to receive the vaccine. In an effort to do so, the health department has started the #MyWhy campaign, which highlights residents in the community and their reasoning behind receiving the shot. He said they are asking residents for their personal reason as to why they opted to get vaccinated along with a photo of themselves.

“We’re going to be featuring these on our social media page,” he added.

Those interested in participating in the campaign can do so by messaging the department on its Facebook page. Rhome said the responses should be a sentence or two explaining why you decide to be vaccinated but not why you think others should be.

He said the department has collected around 20 submissions from the community so far. The first submission was posted Tuesday and received a “great response,” he said.

Rhome said he is hoping the shared stories that will encourage those who remain unsure about the vaccine about its effectiveness.

“We hope to see that as a little bit of inspiration or motivation for someone who is on the fence or not quite sure,” he said. “It’s safe, it’s effective, and you should get it, too. (We’re) just trying to find that motivation or inspiration so they can see that the community is getting vaccinated and maybe it’s time for them to think about it as well.”

Rhome said 50 second doses were administered to residents last week at a drive-through clinic the department held at Wallace Lodge. He said around 15 residents attended the open clinic for first doses. At the Harrison Hills City School District clinic, he said a handful of 16- and 17-year-old students received their vaccines last week. The clinic was held in partnership with the county health department, Change Inc., and the Harrison Hills City School District.

“We don’t take delivery of Pfizer right now, but we found a partner who does and they came out with a mobile clinic,” he said.

Rhome said he expects the Pfizer vaccine will soon be available for residents age 12 and older. It is the only vaccine approved for people younger than 18.

“That same Pfizer product has been proven safe and effective for 12-, 13-, 14- and 15-year-olds as well. The Pfizer product will be available for 12- to 17-year-olds, and adults, but it’s the one that will be authorized for use on minors. I expect Moderna will be not far behind,” he said. “We’re looking forward to that.”

The health department plans to begin holding vaccine walk-in sessions at its office building located inside the government center on North Main Street. Rhome said he’s hoping the walk-in availability will provide convenience for residents. He said those dates and times will be announced in the near future.

An open clinic is set for 4-6:30 p.m. today at Sally Buffalo Park. Interested residents age 18 and older can drive through the clinic and receive their first dose of the Moderna vaccine.

As of Wednesday, the county has had a total of 1,105 confirmed cases, 1,067 recoveries, 24 deaths and has 14 active cases.