Star Journal Report

Oneida County has now seen 17 cases of COVID-19. The Oneida County Health Department (OCHD) on Saturday, June 13, announced that a person in their 40s and one under the age of 10 tested positive. The two are not connected, but both are close contacts of different people who have previously tested positive for COVID-19.

On Monday, June 15, a person in their 30s was diagnosed with the disease and is a close contact of someone who has previously tested positive.

All three of the recently diagnosed are self-isolating and, according to OCHD, pose no significant risk of exposure to the general public. Health officials are contacting others with whom the individuals with positive results had close contact.

Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance refers to “close contact” as being closer than six feet from someone for 15 minutes or more.

“Now is not the time to become complacent,” said OCHD director and health officer. “We must continue to have resolve and think of our friends and neighbors as we help keep our community strong and healthy.”

In addition, people should continue to:

• Frequently and thoroughly wash hands with soap and water
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Avoid touching your face
• Stay home when sick
• Practice physical/social distancing
• Avoid large gatherings and crowds
• Utilize cloth face coverings when physical/social distancing is difficult to do

People with confirmed infections have a range of symptoms, from little to no symptoms to people being severely sick and dying.

Symptoms may include:  Fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, headache, fatigue, body or muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of smell, loss of taste.

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, please contact your medical provider to be tested.