[ad_1]
TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department is urging local residents who have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 to self-quarantine for the recommended 14 days. The renewed emergency comes as cases of the illness caused by the novel coronavirus have risen sharply both locally and statewide in recent weeks.
Health ministry officials are reminding residents that quarantine is used to prevent someone who has been exposed to the virus, and who could be contagious even without symptoms, from passing it on to others.
“People in quarantine should stay at home, separate from others and monitor their health,” a spokesperson for TLCHD said in a press release. “Please note that if you get tested during quarantine, you will still have to complete the full period, even with a negative COVID test result. “
For those who may have forgotten, “close contact” means you’ve been within six feet of a COVID-19 positive patient for more than 15 minutes, cared for someone with COVID-19, that you have had direct physical contact, shared utensils or glasses, or have been directly sneezed or coughed by someone diagnosed with COVID-19.
If you think you meet any of the above criteria, you are encouraged to stay home for 14 days and monitor your health. Signs of COVID-19 infection include a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, cough, and shortness of breath, among others. You are also asked to stay away from others as much as possible, especially those in high risk categories, including those over 65 and those with pre-existing conditions.
The COVID-19 test is available in a number of places in Northwestern Ohio, but again, as the TLCHD points out, a negative test doesn’t mean you can end the quarantine beforehand. the end of the 14 day period.
Copyright 2020 WTVG. All rights reserved.
[ad_2]
Source link