Greene County has experienced an exponential increase in Covid-19 cases in the past week. Besides a drastic rise in confirmed case counts, the number of close contacts who then develop symptoms a few days later is rapidly increasing, especially in households and group gatherings. That’s according to Greene County director of public health Becky Wolf, RN.
As of Sunday morning, the 14-day positivity rate for Covid testing is 17.5 percent, up from 12.5 percent on Friday. There are 133 active cases in the county. There have been 93 new cases in the past 14 days, with 71 one of the in the past seven days and 46 in the past three days. Forty-four percent of patients have no pre-existing medical conditions that would predispose them to the virus. Thirty-one percent have shown no symptoms.
The total count of Covid-19 cases in Greene County as of Sunday was 286. Of the total, 153 individuals are considered to be recovered.
“It is critical that we all take this virus outbreak seriously. We must get the spread of COVID-19 under control before influenza and other respiratory infections become more active in coming weeks, further complicating health conditions and stretching thin our Greene County healthcare resources,” Wolf said. “With more employees and their families impacted by COVID-19, local businesses, schools and employers will be challenged to remain operational with enough staff. Pandemics create a trickle-down effect on the local economy.”
It’s imperative that county residents work together, Wolf stressed. “We must work together now to flatten the curve and avoid a widespread crisis in Greene County. The solutions are simple, but we must be willing to protect each other.
Wolf issued the following reminders:
Wolf issued the following reminders:
· Wash your hands frequently to reduce the germ count on your skin. Hand sanitizers are effective when away from home.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth; ditto for touching your masks
· Cough into your elbow
· Keep at least six feet between you and non-household members
· Wear a double-layered face mask covering both your nose and mouth whenever you leave your home; don’t rely on social distancing alone to protect you.
· Avoid group gatherings, especially when masks are not required; this is a recipe for mass exposure to an infected person(s)
Persons who begin to notice subtle symptoms should stay home and isolate and from household members. They should not go to work, school, or group gatherings, as the virus can be easily spread up to 48 hours before experiencing symptoms.
While many are experiencing sinus-or allergy-like symptoms, Wolf reminds residents that coronavirus symptoms are very similar: fever, chills muscle aches, headache, sore throat, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and or diarrhea, loss of taste or smell (often a few days after initial symptoms), and fatigue.
Persons who have active COVID-19 virus should remain isolated as recommended by Greene County Public Health, IDPH and CDC until: No fever for at least 24 hours (without any over-the-counter medication), AND symptoms improved, AND at least 10 days have passed since onset of symptoms.
