Third Confirmed Positive COVID-19 in Schuyler County
The Schuyler County Health Department has been notified on June 18, 2020, that a third Schuyler County resident has tested positive for COVID-19. Currently, Schuyler has two active cases, and one recovered based on CDC guidelines.
The case is community-related; the patient, who is between the ages of 65-70, is being asked to self-isolate to decrease the risk of exposing others.
The Schuyler County Health Department staff is currently conducting a contact tracing investigation to identify close contacts of that individual. Anyone identified, during the investigation as a close contact or at risk of exposure to this patient, will be contacted directly by the Schuyler County Health Department and given further guidance and recommendations.
Per CDC, close contact is defined as any individual, who was within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes, starting from 2 days before illness onset or, for asymptomatic patients, two days before positive specimen collection. CDC reports that brief interactions are less likely to result in transmission.
However, symptoms and the type of interaction, e.g., did the infected person cough directly into the face of the exposed individual, were the individuals wearing face coverings, are also taken into consideration when identifying, who is considered a close contact.
To Protect Yourself and Others from Illness
- Stay home when you ae sick and avoid close contact with others (at least 6 feet), no matter if any symptoms are present.
- Cover your sneeze and cough to prevent spreading any illness.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water; if soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces and avoid touching your face, especially after touching an unclean surface.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Wear masks that cover your nose and mouth when in public, where social distancing is not possible.
- Avoid large gatherings
