Coronavirus causes school closures and Chenango begins quarantines with no confirmed cases
NORWICH – According to the New York State Department of Health, the state currently sits at 729 total positive cases of the coronavirus.
Currently, Chenango County has been testing residents for the coronavirus, but no tests have returned positive.
On Sunday the City of Norwich Emergency Operations Center sent out an alert by Chenango County Board of Supervisors Chairman Lawrence Wilcox declaring a State of Emergency for Chenango County in response to the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic.
“Based on the recommendations of the county health director, I have ordered the suspension of all classroom and extracurricular functions with regard to all public and private schools located in Chenango County effective Wednesday, March 18,” said Wilcox. “Schools may remain open for administrative and staff functions."
Individual school districts will advise students and parents of their exact plan, but most are expected to have a staff development day on Monday, March 16. On Tuesday it will be up each school district whether students will report to prepare for the extended closure. The school closure order is in effect from Wednesday, March 19 through April 14, 2020. Daycares in Chenango County are not currently closed, as they are under the regulatory control of New York State.
The decision to close schools is a proactive measure to prevent the spread of the virus to students, their families, and the community.
The Chenango County Department of Public Health (CCDOH) is taking an active role in educating the community on the virus, as well as overseeing the quarantine process for individuals in the area.
Director of Patient Services, Darlene Gramstad, explains that when someone presents symptoms of the virus and contacts their doctor, the CCDOH requests the patient go into a precautionary 24 hour quarantine until they know the results of the test. If the patient tests positive for the virus, the CCDOH then advises them to go into a mandatory two week in home isolation.
"If someone were tested for COVID-19 here in Chenango County it would be through a primary care physician or through Chenango Memorial's E.R. They would do the testing. The state has put COVID-19 on their list of reportable diseases, so when the hospital or a private provider got back that test result that was positive they're required then to let us know. Then we would be in touch with that person regarding a quarantine," said Chenango County Public Health Director, Marcas Flindt.
Flindt also stated that if a patient with a confirmed case of COVID-19 refuses the mandatory in home isolation, the DOH is abe to obtain a court order for mandatory isolation which is reinforced by the sheriff’s department.
However, Gramstad assures the CCDOH will work with anyone requiring isolation to ensure they have all their needs met.
"When we go in, we give them an information packet and instruct them. We are also assessing the home to see if it meets their needs while they're there, and if there are particular needs, food, groceries, then we will respond to that," said Gramstad. "The state has provided a letter that the public health department can issue to anyone who has tested positive to give to their employer explaining the two week quarantine," said Gramstad.
Isolation and quarantine may sounds like alarming terms, but Flindt assures it is one of the key components to keeping the community healthy and the the virus from spreading.
"What we are trying to do through the quarantine system is to slow this down so it gives the nation time to develop a vaccine treatment," said Flindt.
Director of Environmental Health Science, Isaiah Sutton, discussed the key interventions to keeping people healthy.
"Right now I'd really like people to know about non-pharmaceutical interventions. That is really the key to this message and the key to prevention. Good hand washing, social distancing, regular disinfection of high contact surfaces. You want to redouble those efforts. You go out to the store, you get home and wash your hands. Before you start preparing dinner, wash your hands. Try to touch your face, eyes, and nose less. Those are really big steps," said Sutton.
Currently, Chenango County has been testing residents for the coronavirus, but no tests have returned positive.
On Sunday the City of Norwich Emergency Operations Center sent out an alert by Chenango County Board of Supervisors Chairman Lawrence Wilcox declaring a State of Emergency for Chenango County in response to the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic.
“Based on the recommendations of the county health director, I have ordered the suspension of all classroom and extracurricular functions with regard to all public and private schools located in Chenango County effective Wednesday, March 18,” said Wilcox. “Schools may remain open for administrative and staff functions."
Individual school districts will advise students and parents of their exact plan, but most are expected to have a staff development day on Monday, March 16. On Tuesday it will be up each school district whether students will report to prepare for the extended closure. The school closure order is in effect from Wednesday, March 19 through April 14, 2020. Daycares in Chenango County are not currently closed, as they are under the regulatory control of New York State.
The decision to close schools is a proactive measure to prevent the spread of the virus to students, their families, and the community.
The Chenango County Department of Public Health (CCDOH) is taking an active role in educating the community on the virus, as well as overseeing the quarantine process for individuals in the area.
Director of Patient Services, Darlene Gramstad, explains that when someone presents symptoms of the virus and contacts their doctor, the CCDOH requests the patient go into a precautionary 24 hour quarantine until they know the results of the test. If the patient tests positive for the virus, the CCDOH then advises them to go into a mandatory two week in home isolation.
"If someone were tested for COVID-19 here in Chenango County it would be through a primary care physician or through Chenango Memorial's E.R. They would do the testing. The state has put COVID-19 on their list of reportable diseases, so when the hospital or a private provider got back that test result that was positive they're required then to let us know. Then we would be in touch with that person regarding a quarantine," said Chenango County Public Health Director, Marcas Flindt.
Flindt also stated that if a patient with a confirmed case of COVID-19 refuses the mandatory in home isolation, the DOH is abe to obtain a court order for mandatory isolation which is reinforced by the sheriff’s department.
However, Gramstad assures the CCDOH will work with anyone requiring isolation to ensure they have all their needs met.
"When we go in, we give them an information packet and instruct them. We are also assessing the home to see if it meets their needs while they're there, and if there are particular needs, food, groceries, then we will respond to that," said Gramstad. "The state has provided a letter that the public health department can issue to anyone who has tested positive to give to their employer explaining the two week quarantine," said Gramstad.
Isolation and quarantine may sounds like alarming terms, but Flindt assures it is one of the key components to keeping the community healthy and the the virus from spreading.
"What we are trying to do through the quarantine system is to slow this down so it gives the nation time to develop a vaccine treatment," said Flindt.
Director of Environmental Health Science, Isaiah Sutton, discussed the key interventions to keeping people healthy.
"Right now I'd really like people to know about non-pharmaceutical interventions. That is really the key to this message and the key to prevention. Good hand washing, social distancing, regular disinfection of high contact surfaces. You want to redouble those efforts. You go out to the store, you get home and wash your hands. Before you start preparing dinner, wash your hands. Try to touch your face, eyes, and nose less. Those are really big steps," said Sutton.
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