More information to be shared on movements of COVID positive patients

Butler County Health Department will begin sharing additional information Wednesday about the movements of COVID-19 positive patients.

Butler County announced four new cases Tuesday, bringing the total to 108.

As people have started to resume normal activities, it has become harder in some instances to identify everyone the patient came into contact with before diagnosis, according to Emily Goodin, BCHD administrator.

In cases such as these, the health department will release information saying, for instance, a COVID-19 positive individual was in a specific business between certain times.

“If we are talking to a positive patient and they say they were at (a specific grocery store), we would say what time were you there,” Goodin said.

The information would then be shared through the health department’s app, Facebook page and website. No additional information about the individual will be shared.

“It’s just to let the community know there was a positive case there between 8 a.m. and noon on Sunday (for instance), just because we don’t know everyone they came in contact with,” Goodin said.

The decision to release additional information comes as cases have increased in Butler County and many people have resumed normal activities.

The health department has to follow privacy guidelines, but also needs to protect the community, Goodin said.

Establishments will be contacted, when possible, prior to publication, according to the health department.

“This will allow the business to notify any affected staff and do any additional cleaning and sanitizing needed,” health department staff report.

Goodin reminded residents that if they feel sick, they need to stay home.

“Unfortunately all symptoms are going to be different based on how your immune system is and how healthy you are, your medical conditions,” she said.

Symptoms can also mirror allergy symptoms, Goodin said, recommending that if people are unsure if they are sick, they wear a mask if they have to go out.

The health department continues to conduct 50-80 tests per day on site. Test results are taking seven to 10 days, a little longer because so many places are testing, Goodin said.

The health department will let individuals know if the test is positive or negative, if they were tested at the health department.

The health department is only notified of positive results for tests that are conducted by other providers.

“Our numbers are rising,” said Goodin. “People still need to be self aware and aware of their surroundings. They need to take their health into their own hands. Wear a mask and gloves if it makes you comfortable.

“The virus is still out there. Just because it’s 100 degrees, it doesn’t mean the virus is slowing down at all.”