Osage County Health Department Nurse Kim Sallin COVID 19 update.
In the last month, Osage County has nearly quadrupled the number of cases, with 517 total positive COVID-19 cases having been reported to the Osage County Health Department as of Monday, with more than 90 currently active.
Last week, Osage County was leading the state in the number of cases per population.
Due to the significant increase and requisite contact-tracing, the department asks for patience.
“We thank the community for their patience as we work through our cases,” said Sallin. “For several weeks now, we have received anywhere from five to 35 cases daily. We have hired new staff and are working tirelessly to get to all the cases.”
Sallin noted it was mandated by the state earlier in the school year that local health departments initiate investigations of school-age children within 24 hours of being reported to the department. Daily reports of positive school-age children have created a delay in contacting adult cases.
As of Tuesday, contact-tracers from the Department of Health and Senior Services will be aiding the Osage County Health Department in its investigations as the current volume is simply too great for local staff to handle in a timely fashion.
“The additional assistance is welcomed and we look forward to minimizing the delay in case investigations,” said Sallin.
At this time, Osage County is no longer reaching out to or automatically providing quarantine letters to adult contacts who reside outside of the household of a positive case. It will be the responsibility of the positive case to reach out to those who meet the qualifications of a close contact. A quarantine letter can be provided by the health department upon request.
Sallin noted a recent update from the CDC regarding the definition of a close contact, which is now identified as someone who was within six feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, starting from two days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, two days prior to test-specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.
“The majority of our recent cases in the last month have contracted the virus as a result of large events or gatherings where social-distancing was not being practiced and masks were not worn,” said Sallin, noting that from one gathering, in particular, 25% of reported contacts turned up positive. “Each of us plays a part in preventing the spread of COVID19. Wash your hands. Keep your distance from those outside of your household. Wear a mask. Avoid large gatherings.”
With the holidays quickly approaching, the health department is urging the community to avoid hosting or attending gatherings that bring together those outside of your normal interaction.
“Please, also keep in mind influenza cases are slowly starting to come in,” Sallin added. “These precautions are to help keep us all healthy through this cold and flu season.”