Harrison-Clarksburg Health Department Gives Update on "Spike in Positive Cases" of Coronavirus Locally
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on July 09, 2020 via Connect-Bridgeport.com
FROM THE HARRISON-CLARKSBURG HEALTH DEPARTMENT
The Harrison-Clarksburg Health Department wants to update the community regarding a spike in positive cases of COVID-19. Operational data from the 7-day period from 7/1/2020 through 7/7/2020 indicate 24 new positive case reports. Several identifiable factors are associated with risk of infection among Harrison County residents in relation to the recent increase in the spread of this disease. Travel, particularly out-of-state is and has been a significant risk factor for infection. Household members as well as extended family members of infected individuals are also at enhanced risk. In addition, gatherings are a risk factor for infection and have been reported in several smaller gatherings, also among non-household family members visiting. Further, more than 60 people have been quarantined due to contact risk with positive cases, which impacts not only those people and their families, but the businesses and agencies where they work. Lastly, misunderstanding and/or disregarding isolation or quarantine can and will cause illness among family members and the community at large.
Three areas of public action can have a remarkable impact on future cases:
First, avoid nonessential travel. Most areas of the United States have increasing cases of COVID- 19 and Harrison County cases have come from multiple states during June and early July. Businesses and agencies are encouraged to consider travel-related policies in lieu of governmental restriction. Policies can include bans on nonessential work travel and/or 14-day work from home policies after travel. Travelers should consider self-quarantine for 14 days after travel and consider the consequences of any work-related return policies or government-imposed quarantine orders which might be imposed during travel.
Second, social distancing and face covering is effective in not only reducing the spread of the disease, but in decreasing the likelihood one will be quarantined in a contact situation. A large proportion of illness and quarantine has resulted from not following guidelines in these two areas. Social distancing, also called “physical distancing,” means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home. To practice social or physical distancing stay at least 6 feet from other people. All people for whom it is safe to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth should do so in the presence of any other person not in your household, especially indoors.
Thirdly, isolation and quarantine restrict all interactions between people who are ill or are at high risk to become ill and all other people. Isolated or quarantined persons should not leave their house, when at all possible. This can require assistance in obtaining food and medication. Should you need assistance in this manner please contact the Harrison-Clarksburg Health Department.
In all matters during this pandemic, The Harrison-Clarksburg Health Department strongly encourages everyone to practice the measures in place for their protection. These measures include frequent hand washing, face coverings to include a mask, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth, avoid close contact and cover coughs and sneezes. Measures must also take special care to protect individuals at increased risk of severe disease – people who are older or have other medical conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, chronic lung disease, and others.
