Logan County Health District officials reported this week that as a result of an overwhelming increase in COVID-19 cases and “extremely limited resources,” nursing and contact tracing staff will only be contacting positive cases in an effort to continue the contact tracing process.
Upon receiving a positive COVID-19 lab result, a person who tested positive will be contacted by the health district nursing and/or contact tracing staff.
It is recommended that individuals who test positive notify their close contacts whom they might have infected.
“LCHD will not be making those calls at this time, but will give instructions for how to do so, as well as isolation/quarantine practices,” officials said in a press release. “We appreciate your patience and understanding during this extremely busy time.”
Wednesday, the health district reported 276 active cases of COVID-19 in the county, an increase in 49 confirmed cases and 11 probable cases, as detailed in Thursday’s Examiner. Twelve county residents also are hospitalized related to the virus.
For people who are notified as being a close contact to a COVID-19 positive case, health district officials said they should begin quarantine best practices, including:
• Staying home and not allowing visitors;
• Monitoring and logging health for symptoms of the virus;
• Wearing a mask when closer than 6 feet of those in a shared household;
• Wearing a mask and maintaining a 6-foot distance from others if making essential trips (such as trips for groceries or prescription pick ups);
• Regularly and thoroughly washing your hands;
• Regularly and thoroughly disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces, such as door handles, faucets, TV remotes, cell phones, computers, tablets etc.; and
• Doing your best to improve air exchange in the home by cracking windows and doors.
Individuals who are close contacts of a COVID-19 case and need a letter for school, work or extracurricular excuse or return, call the health district’s call center at (937) 592-9040 option 1. Leave a message, including your name, phone number and date of exposure.
These requests can also be e-mailed to covid19.
Callers are advised to expect a delay of 24 to 48 hours before receiving a return call.
“Leaving multiple messages will further slow our staff and delay response times,” officials said.