The number of Covid-19 cases in Greene County jumped in the past week, with 32 new cases diagnosed in the past seven days. As of Jan 3, 2022, Greene County public health director Becky Wolf reports a 7-day positivity rate for testing at 14.8 percent, up from 4.9 percent one week ago. The 14-day positivity rate is 9.3 percent. The level of community transmission is still HIGH.
Wolf advises residents who have been exposed to a Covid-19 positive person to wait five days after exposure before testing. “Testing too early may result in a false negative as your viral load isn’t high enough yet,” Wolf explained.
“The Omicron variant is spreading quickly and has the potential to impact all facets of our society,” according to CDC Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky. To ensure that people can safely continue their daily lives, we must focus on prevention, as our best option:
- Get vaccinated
- Get boosted
- Wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of high community spread
- Take a test before you gather with others
On December 27, 2021, the CDC updated recommendations for shortened times for isolation and quarantine, based on the most current understanding of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, which is spreading rapidly. Studies demonstrate that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms AND the 2-3 days after.
RECOMMENDATIONS for the GENERAL PUBLIC:
If you test positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status:
- Stay home for five days (isolate from others)
- If you have no symptoms or symptoms are resolving after five days, you can leave your house
- Continue to wear a WELL-FITTING MASK around others for an additional five days
If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and you have:
- Been boosted, OR
- Completed the primary series of Pfizer of Moderna vaccine within the last six months, OR
- Completed the primary series of J & J vaccine within the last two months
- Wear a mask around others for 10 days
- Test on day five, if possible
- If you develop symptoms, get tested and stay home
If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and you have:
- Completed the primary series of Pfizer of Moderna vaccine over six months ago are NOT boosted, OR
- Completed the primary series of J & J vaccine over two months ago and are NOT boosted, OR
- Are unvaccinated
- Stay home (quarantine) for five days; after that, continue to wear a WELL-FITTING MASK around others for five additional days
- If you can’t quarantine, you must wear a WELL-FITTING MASK for 10 days
- Test on day five, if possible
- If you develop symptoms, get tested and stay home
A COVID-19 booster dose restores vaccine effectiveness against infection to 75 percent. Vaccination decreases the risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. CDC strongly urges vaccination for everyone five and older and boosters for everyone 16 years and older.
Flu and/or COVID Vaccine Clinics are held at the Public Health Department, Greene County Medical Center, Level B, Tuesdays from 9 am to 12 pm, and Thursdays from 1 to 4 pm.
Register online at https://hipaa.jotform.com/203558336058156 or call 515-386-3228 for an appointment.
Free Test Iowa home kits are available at Greene County Public Health. Call 515-386-3228 to arrange for outdoor pick-up only.
