Marion County Health Department issues next set of recommendations

A message from Marion County Health Administrator, Diedre Serene:


I
would like to thank the residents of Marion County for doing their part in keeping the cases at 0 since mid-April.  We have had no community spread in Marion County.  Community spread means spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown.  

Individuals as employers, employees and residents of Marion County need to continue:

Stay Home when sick
Practice social distancing
Practice thorough hand washing with soap and water or hand sanitizer
Wear a mask in public
High risk individuals –continue to stay home-if you leave your home for essentials needs or exercise; wear a mask  when you come in contact with people (show high risk page)

I will not be ordering mass gathering limits, at this time, it is up to the individual to apply common sense and maintain the 6 feet between family units.  

I will not direct what businesses should or should not remain closed.  When they open, they are strongly encouraged to follow the guidelines posted by KDHE.  Please refer to https://covid.ks.gov/

Businesses must also follow their governing boards or associations.

With increased movement of individuals and increased testing, we will see positive lab confirmed cases.  We will also see individuals whom will be placed in quarantine because of being considered a contact of a positive case.  KDHE will continue to issue travel related quarantine mandates.  The travel related quarantine guidelines can be found on the KDHE page.

Individuals placed in quarantine, isolation will receive a letter, and quarantine and isolation orders are enforceable by local law enforcement.  

I encourage individuals to keep of journal of their movement, including date, time and location.

 

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.  Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:  

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

CDC updates this list as more is learned about the virus.  

Please stay home when you are ill.  If you believe you may have COVID-19 contact your health care provider.

This strategy is subject to change when we experience a cluster in Marion County.  At that time the Health Department will issue specific health orders in response.

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