Schuyler County Public Health is notifying the community that a Schuyler County resident has tested positive for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus. The individual is currently being isolated and monitored by Schuyler County Public Health. Public Health staff are currently identifying close contacts of the confirmed case and any exposure risks. Individuals with exposure risk are currently being quarantined and monitored for symptoms.
“We have prepared for COVID-19 to arrive in Schuyler County” said Deborah Minor, Public Health Director.“We ask that people please stay home as much as possible and limit contact with others. We need to slow down how quickly the virus spreads in the community. This will help make sure our hospitals don’t get overwhelmed by too many sick people at once.”
COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you develop these symptoms, immediately call your healthcare provider for instructions.
Schuyler County Public Health recommends community members take the following actions to protect themselves, their family, and the overall community from COVID-19:
• Stay home and practice social distancing, only leave your home for absolute necessities. Consider getting items like prescriptions mailed to your home.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as faucet handles and doorknobs.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue available, cough or sneeze into your elbow.
• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
• Do not return to work or school until you have been fever-free for 24 hours.
• Monitor and treat any mild symptoms at home with over-the-counter medicine as appropriate. If you have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, call your health care provider for instructions.
For current and accurate information, visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/ or the New York State Health Department (NYSDOH) website at https://www.health.ny.gov/. Members of the public can also call the NYSDOH 24/7 hotline if they have general questions about COVID-19. The hotline number is 1-888-364-3065.
For more information, visit Schuyler County Public Health online at www.schuylercounty.us/publichealth or follow Schuyler County Public Health on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
