{"id":196460,"date":"2020-04-10T10:26:51","date_gmt":"2020-04-10T15:26:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/csinewsnow.com\/?p=196460"},"modified":"2020-04-10T13:50:58","modified_gmt":"2020-04-10T18:50:58","slug":"central-valley-health-faqs-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/csinewsnow.com\/?p=196460","title":{"rendered":"Central Valley Health FAQ’s, COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Jamestown\u00a0 (CSi)\u00a0 Central Valley Health District, Administrator, Robin Iszler has received a number of calls at the office, from residents with concerns and questions about COVID-19, especially in light of a Stutsman County resident, who tested positive<\/strong>\u00a0 for the virus.<\/p>\n

On a recent Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Robin and host Wayne Byers addressed the Frequently Asked Questions.<\/p>\n

He is a list of the Q&A\u2019s address on the show.<\/p>\n

Q: \u00a0I was in a business and now I heard someone tested positive what do I do?\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

A:\u00a0 A close contact to a positive case will be notified.\u00a0 Close contact is defined within 6 feet for 15 minutes or longer.\u00a0\u00a0 If you are a close contact someone from the Health Department will reach out to you.\u00a0 You can continue to practice social distancing, wash your hands, don\u2019t touch your face, wear a cloth mask, monitor your symptoms and stay home when you are sick.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Q:\u00a0 Should I wear a mask in public?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A:\u00a0 CDC is now recommending that people wear homemade masks in public when they are out getting supplies etc.\u00a0 Instructions for homemade mask are at centralvalleyhealth.org\u00a0 which is \u00a0Central Valley\u2019s website under Hot Topics or JRMC\u2019s Website.\u00a0 Masks should be washed upon return to home and a clean\/new mask worn next time you go out.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Q:\u00a0 Should I wear gloves?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A:\u00a0 Vinyl, rubber or plastic gloves are not necessary \u2013 WASH your hands or use hand sanitizer when you are out in public and upon return home.\u00a0 Don\u2019t touch your face with dirty hands or dirty gloves.\u00a0 Gloves can give you a false sense of security \u2013 WASH your hands often.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Q:\u00a0 Where was the positive case located<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

A:\u00a0 Any information on a positive case is confidential including the exact city and address.\u00a0 Only county level data will be shared.\u00a0 Those who are close contacts will be notified and provided information on what to do next.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Q:\u00a0 Can we gather in the community?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A:\u00a0 Do not gather in groups of more than 10.\u00a0\u00a0 You also need to stay at least 6 feet apart in distance and limit your interaction to 15 minutes or less.\u00a0 Gathering in cars can also impose risk if you leave your car, open the windows or have interaction.\u00a0 When you are walking or biking in the community do not gather in groups or stop to visit.\u00a0 This increases your chance for exposure.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Q:\u00a0 What If I have questions on COVID?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A:\u00a0 you can call the state hotline at 1-866-207-2880 for general questions on COVID.\u00a0 For medical questions contact your medical provider.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Q:\u00a0 I want to know if I have the Coronavirus!<\/strong><\/p>\n

A:\u00a0 If you have respiratory symptoms \u2013 like fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat or shortness of breath contact your provider.\u00a0\u00a0 People who do not have symptoms will not be tested.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Q:\u00a0 What if I was in contact with someone who is a close contact?<\/strong><\/p>\n

A:\u00a0 There is nothing they need to do.\u00a0 You can monitor your symptoms but can continue go to work and grocery store.\u00a0\u00a0 Close Contacts are those who came in contact with a positive person and they will be instructed what to do next.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Q: <\/strong>I have deep concerns with the low rate of testing done in Stutsman County. \u00a0We are one of the more populous counties, and yet, have one of the lowest rates of testing. \u00a0The virus is in our county. \u00a0These people are just not being tested. \u00a0It gives our residents a false sense of security.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

A:<\/strong> Thank you for your concern.<\/p>\n

Stutsman County is actually on par with the rest of the state with regard to testing. As you can see in the chart, Stutsman County has completed 7.34 tests\/1,000 residents. We\u2019re testing at almost twice the rate of our neighboring counties. You\u2019ll notice an increase in the southwest because of the Operation Drive-in<\/a> pilot project.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Our providers use the following guidelines from the North Dakota Department of Health to determine who should be tested:<\/p>\n

Clinicians should use their judgment to determine if a patient has signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19 and whether the patient should be tested. As supplies allow, health care providers should not turn patients away for COVID-19 testing who have upper or lower respiratory illness.<\/p>\n

Clinicians should consider testing any patient TWO or more of the following signs\/symptoms of respiratory illness with new or worsening onset:<\/p>\n