Jefferson County Public Health Service announces six more COVID-19 positives

 

WATERTOWN, N.Y. (March 29, 2020) – Today, six additional cases with positive COVID-19 in Jefferson County were confirmed by LabCorp laboratory.

The individuals are now in mandatory isolation. To date, there are 11 confirmed positive cases and 320 negative in Jefferson County. It is important to note that with a significant increase in testing over the last two weeks, only 3.3 percent have been confirmed positive, while 96.7 percent have been confirmed negative.

Under current New York State Department of Health COVID-19 testing guidance, health care providers are now able to conduct COVID-19 testing without authorization from county health departments. The Jefferson County Public Health Service is working closely with providers to manage patients tested and determine which patients require precautionary quarantine until test results are confirmed. Currently, there are 122 individuals in Jefferson County under precautionary quarantine.

The Jefferson County Public Health Service continues to work closely with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about testing protocols related to disease transmission. Travel history is still a consideration, along with presentation of specific symptoms.

To date, there are 59,513 positive COVID-19 cases in New York state, with the vast majority of cases in New York City. Local health departments are actively monitoring suspected and positive cases throughout the state.

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.

 

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

o Do your part to stop the spread of germs:

o Wash your hands often with soap and water.

o Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

o Practice social distancing.

o Avoid contact with sick people.

o Stay home if you’re sick.

To receive the most up-to-date information, visit www.jcphs.org.

 

Additionally, the Jefferson County Public Health Service asks that those coming back to Jefferson County to please use caution, and that these steps be taken to practice social distancing and help protect the community:

o Stay home and avoid contact with others for 14 days.

o Monitor your health for fever, cough, or trouble breathing.

o Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares during the time you are practicing social distancing.

o Keep your distance from others (about six feet).

 

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

 

(Jefferson County Public Health Service)