Madison County Health Department announced  that it has received its first positive test of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Currently, the Health Department has been in touch with the person who has tested positive and that person has been placed into quarantine. They are contacting individuals who may have come into close contact with the person.

“We are closely monitoring the situation,” said Madison County Public Health Director Eric Faisst. “We understand that this will heighten the concern of many of our residents.  Please stay vigilant about social distancing and personal hygiene, please do not go out to public places unless you have to and contact your doctor if you are not feeling well.”

“We are asking for everyone’s help to make sure that emergency department treatment remains available for people who truly need it,” Faisst said.  “In addition to caring for people with severe illnesses, local hospitals still have to manage their regular patient caseload.”

Due to a limited supply of tests, local health officials are following the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) recommendations to focus on only testing the people with symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath) that fall into one of these categories:

1. Has come into close contact (same office, classroom, gatherings) of another person known to be positive; or
2. Has traveled to a country that the CDC has issued a Level 2 or Level 3 Travel Health Notice; or
3. Is currently is under quarantine; or
4. Has already tested negative for other types of infections (rapid flu tests, respiratory panel)

Only residents who meet one of the above testing criteria should contact their healthcare provider to get tested. This will allow healthcare providers and Madison County Health Department to focus our limited testing supplies on the residents with the most need.

Most people experience mild illness and recover from COVID-19 without needing medical treatment. People who have conditions that may result in more severe illness from COVID-19 should call their health care provider if they have symptoms of COVID-19. These people include women who are pregnant, older adults, and persons of any age who have a preexisting medical condition.

If you become sick, please stay at home until you are well. Faisst urges those who are NOT seriously ill to avoid hospital emergency departments, but instead contact their primary care doctor or health clinic.  You can also call the 24 hour a day Upstate University Hospital COVID-19 triage number at 315-464-3979 for guidance.

Call your doctor right away or get emergency care in the event of severe or worsening illness.

Be sure to take these precautions:

• Stay home, except to get medical care and avoid unnecessary appointments and gatherings
• Practice social distancing – keep 6 feet of distance from others in public
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands).
• Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

• Use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Should you become ill, contact your doctor first before visiting their office to make arrangements for care.
• If you are well, you do NOT need to wear a face mask. Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms to prevent the spread of the disease or by health care providers.
• Disinfect high-touch surfaces and objects in the household common areas, such as tables, doorknobs, faucets.  Clean surfaces using water and soap, then use a disinfectant product to remove germs. Follow the directions of any disinfectant product or bleach solution to ensure it is most effective in killing germs.

Stay informed.
For more information about the novel Coronavirus, visit Madison County at https://www.madisoncounty.ny.gov/2479/Coronavirus-COVID-19,  call the New York State Coronavirus Hotline 1-888-364-3065, and visit CDC at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.