You may be wondering how the Madison County Health Department determines who is at-risk of exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. The Madison County Health Department has staff who perform communicable disease investigations each and every day. Once a Madison County resident tests positive for any reportable communicable disease, including COVID-19, trained staff start a disease investigation. It is during this investigation that close contacts are identified. The patient is questioned about all of the places they went and the people they would have been within 6 feet of while symptomatic, or just before symptoms started. These close contacts are then notified of their exposure and given specific instructions on what to do next. If a person who tested positive for COVID-19 went to a location where they may have exposed a large group of people, the Health Department would issue a public notice with instructions for the general public to contact the Health Department.
Now more than ever, it is critical that everyone in our community do their part to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Stay home, avoid group gatherings, and avoid having visitors in your house, including birthday celebrations and Easter or Passover observances. Only leave your home for essential supplies or essential work. When you are outside of the home, continue practicing social distancing - keep at least 6 feet away from other people. Wear a cloth face covering to help prevent spreading your germs. Avoid touching surfaces that may not be clean. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Do not touch your face until you have washed your hands. Your efforts will help us in stopping the spread of this disease in Madison County.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Madison County Health Department’s website:
https://www.madisoncounty.ny.gov/2479/Coronavirus-COVID-19.
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