Dubois County Health Dept. reports no new cases; outlines steps residents can take
The Dubois County Health Department reported there are no new positive COVID-19 cases in Dubois County as of 8 a.m.
In response to questions about the number of tests that have been conducted so far, the department also stated they are unable to share the number of patients tested in the county since only positive tests are required to be reported to the health department.
The county health department added that each person plays a role in helping overcome this pandemic. Ways to do so include:
• Stay informed with accurate information
• Use social distancing and keep six 6 feet between you and others
• Cover your coughs and sneezes, use a tissue then throw away
• Clean your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
• Don’t share household items
• Clean all “high touch” surfaces and objects daily
• Stay home
The press release issued Wednesday morning ends, “Hold yourself and others accountable for their health, your health, and the health of all of our citizens. We can get through this, but it will take everyone doing their part.”
The refusal to indicate the number of tests administered reflects poorly on our local leadership. The reference to no requirement to not disclose the number of tests is a poor argument. This is the time to go above and beyond the minimum. With the recent flip flopping of President Trump and Republican govenors concerning the severity of the Covid-19 virus versus the economy, one could surmise that our local leadership has become complicit in a greater scheme: That no testing equals no new reportable cases. The next step in this scheme will be to claim the all clear, when in fact it is a lie. I for one have lost all faith and trust in our leadership.
I’m not sure it matters how many tests have been given but can probably assume those they are testing fall into a high risk category. The release from the HD does not say there are no cases of C-19 it says nothing new has been reported to them.
It is my understanding that if you are swabbed for strep, influenza and come back negative with a clean chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia, the assumption is you have it and should follow the appropriate isolation protocol with doctor supervision.
Even if there are more test kits available it does not change the fact there is no approved drug therapy. Tylenol for fever, stay hydrated and self isolate for now. It is easier to assume you have it and be proactive in helping to slow the spread. Testing more people specifically for C-19 will not change the fact it is already here, there is no treatment and will only add to a statistic.
I think it is a very bad idea to put our health and economic decision making in the words of politicians. We have different conditions than New York state or Texas so a one size fits all model doesn’t work. It is up to each individual, provider, employer and school system to determine when it’s time to go back to normal life. If you don’t feel it’s safe to return to work, the .gov is passing legislation to help.
Bottom line is your health is in your hands including the choices you make. This is more about you than what everyone thinks the .gov should be doing for you.
Agree with the local leadership issue. Citizens should also be informed – NOT of the person’s ID who tested positive so as (not) to violate HIPPA rules – but as a public service in the interest of public welfare, et al, at least of the location by community AND of the circumstances of origin or transmission, to the extent known. Did he/she just return from NY or other hot-spot location (where?) or event, or had they been in contact with a known infected person(s) somewhere outside the county, or whatever. This much is NOT in violation of HIPPA rules. Something besides, “we’re not releasing any information.”