Butler County does not yet have a positive case for COVID-19. But as of Monday, four of its five neighboring counties have. Two each in Carter, Ripley and Stoddard counties, six in Dunklin and then another 13 in Cape Girardeau.
If and when Butler County gets a positive case, the Butler County Health Department will contact that person and ask for the names and contact information for anyone they’ve come in close contact within the 14 days before when symptoms first appeared, not when that person got tested. At no point will the health department reveal any names, keeping everything confidential in compliance with HIPPA laws, according to BCHD Interim Administrator Emily Goodin said.
The health department legally can not inform a business that one of its employees has tested positive. It would be upon the individual to reveal that confidential information.
“We are not going to use any names so nobody is going to know where it came from,” Goodin said.
It is the same investigation the health department performs for the transfer of all communicable diseases. Only the questions change.
Once a person who has tested positive puts together a list of people they have come in close contact with, the health department will contact those people and say “You have come in contact with somebody who has tested positive,” keeping everything anonymous, and will ask their list of questions about symptoms and will assign a risk evaluation based on criteria from the Center for Disease Control for each person.
“High risk is, you are living with that person and not taking any precautions,” Goodin said. “Medium risk is if you come in close contact with that person within 6 feet. For instance, you live with them but you are using some precautions. Medium risk would also be you working together.
“Low risk is just being in the same environment, but not within that 6 feet. If you fall within the medium/high risk and you are showing symptoms, we are going to suggest that you talk to your doctor to see if you need further testing. If you are in that low risk or no risk, we’re going to tell you to watch for symptoms like a fever. If respiratory (symptoms) start to develop, call your doctor.”
Close contact in the case of coronavirus currently means within 6 feet.
“Now, if you pass somebody in a parking garage, we’re not going to worry about them,” Goodin said. “Just within that 6 feet. Anyone you live with, work with, that you came in close contact with. Once we have their names, that’s when we start our investigation.”
Goodin added that the close contact criteria are changing on a near daily basis. Initially, the screening process concerned where people have traveled to, but it has loosened up since.
“If we called someone and they have been in close contact, we are going to ask, ‘Do you have a fever, any respiratory issues?’ We’re going to ask them to self-isolate. If they start to decline, we’re going to ask them to see their medical provider,” she said.
The health department had five testing kits as of Friday. Goodin said the state criteria that the health department uses for who gets tested is more strict than what the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center uses.
“We have released one or two of those kits already and that is just a quicker turnaround time for testing,” Goodin said.
If you are exposed to someone but are not showing symptoms, the CDC recommends staying home until 14 days after the last exposure and stay at least 6 feet away from others at all times. Check your temperature twice a day and watch for fever, cough or shortness of breath. Avoid contact with people at higher risk for severe illness.
If you are living with someone who is sick, the CDC recommends having the person stay in one room, away from other people, including yourself, as much as possible. Have them use a separate bathroom, if possible. Avoid sharing personal household items. If facemasks are available, have them wear one when they are around people.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after interacting with the sick person. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Every day, clean all surfaces that are touched often, like counters, tabletops and doorknobs. Wash laundry thoroughly. Avoid having unnecessary visitors.
The CDC recommends seeking medical attention immediately if you develop emergency warning signs such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, bluish lips or face, or any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.