[College Hill Topeka] Fwd: Media Release: Shawnee County COVID-19 Cases Increasing; Causing Delays in Contact

Mon Nov 2 22:05:28 CST 2020

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Rachelle Vega-Retana <rvretana at topeka.org>
Date: Mon, Nov 2, 2020 at 7:52 AM
Subject: Media Release: Shawnee County COVID-19 Cases Increasing; Causing
Delays in Contact
To:

*Topeka, Kan.* – Shawnee County is experiencing a sharp increase in the
number of COVID-19 cases. A provisional count for the week starting October
25 indicates that over 270 cases have been reported. On Friday, October 30,
2020 there were over 90 cases reported. This is an all-time daily record.

The cases are widely distributed among multiple settings; including nursing
homes and schools.

In many cases an exact source of infection cannot be identified; additional
evidence shows that several cases may be the result of infections acquired
during small and large social gatherings.

The high workload generated by this increase results in the health
department inability to call newly diagnosed individuals in a timely manner
and provide advice on precautions to take to avoid further transmission of
the virus.

Individuals who are notified of a positive laboratory test for COVID-19
should take the following precautions:

   1. If you have severe symptoms immediately call your primary care
   provider and follow their directions. DO NOT GO TO THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE OR
   THE EMERGENCY ROOM unless you are instructed to do so by a healthcare
   provider. *Always call ahead.*
   2. Isolate yourself in your house. Isolation means that you should not
   come in contact with anyone, should not leave your house and should not
   allow visitors to enter your house. Isolation should last at least 10 days
   from the date the symptoms appear, or if there are no symptoms from the
   date the laboratory test is performed.
   3. Consider isolating yourself from your other household members, where
   possible. Transmission within the household is very common, but it may be
   prevented if sick individuals or those with a positive coronavirus test
   immediately isolate themselves in a different part of the house and have no
   direct contact with other household members.
   4. Make a list of everyone that you had a close contact with (10 minutes
   within 6 feet) starting two days before symptoms appeared; or if not
   exhibiting symptoms, two days before the date the laboratory test was
   performed. Contact each individual and tell them that they have been
   exposed to the virus and they need to remain in quarantine in their home
   for 14 days from the date they were exposed. Individuals in quarantine
   should not leave their house, except for emergencies; and should not go to
   work or school.

 What can people do to protect themselves and to reduce the spread of the
virus?

   1. Avoid close contact with other individuals outside your household.
   Close contact is defined as contact within 6 feet that lasts 10 cumulative
   minutes or more.
   2. Always wear a mask when in a public place.
   3. Avoid large gatherings of people.
   4. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If
   soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
   5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
   6. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Additional information can be found from the following resource pages:

Shawnee County Health Department: http://www.snco.us/hd/
<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.snco.us%2fhd%2f&c=E,1,2h88t10PwMRkP46wVMM5PaCLShzl0LG4qPKCApsC1sD4XreFifqKL18-s3fv3d9-ZFosQehxFw2StesFFlpOgSYZUUViPgMGlmSm0rRJFmRYWduOyhipmKm30w,,&typo=1>

Kansas Department of Health and Environment:
https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/
<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.coronavirus.kdheks.gov%2f&c=E,1,RKKjdtC3gnegHI1cfRGWmW1OJj8TrUap0PjRdsJ3bNaRV62jynpaqL-wkBwjvJXLCqQYmYkeWBidsA6O-9HjFUfXkdkqTHAp5wB2P7WnceNJ&typo=1>

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

*Shawnee County Health Department is committed to working in partnership
with our community to promote and protect the optimal health of all people
by bridging gaps to eliminate health inequities, respecting the diversity
of our community, through adaptive and innovative processes. *

*Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube*

<https://www.google.com/maps/search/2600+SW+East+Circle+Drive+%0D%0A+Topeka,+KS+66606?entry=gmail&source=g>

[image: Logo_Color_Transparent(3x2.5)]*Craig Barnes*

Division Manager

Community Health Outreach and
Planning

Shawnee County Health Department

2600 SW East Circle Drive
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/2600+SW+East+Circle+Drive+%0D%0A+Topeka,+KS+66606?entry=gmail&source=g>

Topeka, KS 66606
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/2600+SW+East+Circle+Drive+%0D%0A+Topeka,+KS+66606?entry=gmail&source=g>

http://www.shawneehealth.org/
<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.shawneehealth.org%2f&c=E,1,uLqWRZ2ZQELwIBDSW0XEzcS-bJROtCY36UiiaaNo3qK-OG78LNqBcTGOs8lhxg_Yy-scROrRDrq_xUYrIze8IBffNXWcjwrc-LcndAkF-ST-lzVbnAi_yE8,&typo=1>

785.251.5612 office

785.806.6310 cell

785.251.5696 fax

Rachelle Vega-Retana, Grants Administrator

City of Topeka, Dept. of Planning & Development

Division of Housing Services

620 SE Madison St
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/620+SE+Madison+St?entry=gmail&source=g>.
1st Floor – Unit 8

Topeka, Ks. 66607

Phone: (785) 368-4490

Fax:      (785) 368-2546

Email:    rvretana at topeka.org

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