Jefferson County Public Health Service provides update on coronavirus, local actions taken to date

 

WATERTOWN, N.Y. (Feb. 10, 2020) – The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) is receiving information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) about international travelers who reside in New York state who need active monitoring for potential exposure to novel coronavirus after travelling in China. To date, more than 20 counties in New York have been engaged by the NYSDOH through county health departments regarding residents with recent travel history who require monitoring.

As of Feb. 9, approximately 376 individuals are being monitored by local health departments throughout the state. It is anticipated that the numbers of people with travel history requiring monitoring will continue and grow, as most counties in New York state have, or will have, residents who have traveled in China returning home.

All county health departments are in daily communication with NYSDOH communicable disease leadership to track and monitor exposure potential and possible disease transmission and occurrence in New York state.

Currently, Jefferson County Public Health Service is monitoring individuals who have recent travel history to China. Individuals are staying home for 14 days with daily monitoring by the local health department. The individuals being monitored by the department are not ill and have not been diagnosed with novel coronavirus. As of this time, no individuals have been diagnosed with novel coronavirus in Jefferson County. 

The Jefferson County Public Health Service, working with the NYSDOH and the CDC continues to advise individuals to:

  • Obtain vaccination for flu (everyone six months of age and older). Risk for contracting flu is high. While there is currently no vaccine for Novel Coronavirus, understand that risk for contracting novel coronavirus is low.
  • Do your part to stop the spread of germs:
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
    • Avoid contact with sick people
    • Stay home if you’re sick

 

For the most current, up-to-date information, visit https://www.jcphs.org.

The Jefferson County Public Health Service will continue to update the public regarding disease risk and status.

 

(Jefferson County Public Health Service)