At this time, the CDC continues to recommend people contact a primary care provider for a complete assessment. A healthcare provider will be able to assess and if indicated, test for flu or other viruses. If you have had direct contact with someone who has been diagnosed and has symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath and fever, you should call tell your health care provider when you call.

As with any illness:

• Stay home when you are sick. Remain home for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (without taking fever-reducing medication) or signs of a fever (i.e., chills, feeling warm, flushed appearance).
• Limit your contact with others
• Cover your cough or sneeze into your elbow or with a tissue, then immediately discard the tissue in the trash.
• If you feel ill enough to dial 911, you must inform the dispatcher of any risk factors

Result turnaround time varies depending on which lab is doing the testing.

Depending on the test, a local health department will only be informed of positive results, not that a test has been sent. This is the case with any of the diseases on the notifiable disease list created by the CDC.

PCDOH does not have the total number of tests done in Putnam since private physicians are now able to do testing. As with all reportable diseases, we will be notified if there is a positive test result regardless of where the testing took place and share that information accordingly. This is the case for many other health departments. Physicians are testing in Putnam based on symptoms and risk factors for their patients

The New York State Department of Health is only providing the number of laboratory confirmed cases.

That information can be found on their website: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. We recommend everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, including:

• 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.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Cough into your elbow, or cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Do not share personal items such as water bottles.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Stay home when you are sick.

The CDC recommends cleaning and disinfecting the household as usual. Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using a regular household detergent and water.

If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent and water prior to disinfection. For disinfection, a list of products with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved emerging viral pathogens claims, maintained by the American Chemistry Council Center for Biocide Chemistries (CBC), is available at Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fighting Products or https://www.americanchemistry.com/Novel-Coronavirus-Fighting-Products-List.pdf

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products.

For more information about state, federal and global decisions, please visit the following websites:

• NYSDOH: https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/
• CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• WHO: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus