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In Putnam County, there have been more than 200 confirmed COVID-19 cases, which have hospitalized 19 local residents. There have been more than 83,712 confirmed cases statewide, most in the country.
According to the Department of Health, the rate of positive cases and those who have been potentially exposed to the disease is rapidly increasing and expected to continue to rise.
In response to the outbreak, a Commissioner's Standing Isolation Order” for mandatory isolation related to COVID-19 has been issued by the Putnam County Commissioner of Health to help slow the spread of the virus.
The order states that any person who tests positive for COVID-19 must isolate themselves at home until advised otherwise by health officials. Those who violate the order will face fines up to $2,000 per violation per day.
Parents and guardians are also responsible for ensuring any children comply with the isolation order, or else they face the same fine.
The order states that:
If you test positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms (symptomatic confirmed positive), you must stay at home until:
- At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications) and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) AND at least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
If you test positive for COVID-19 and have NO symptoms (asymptomatic confirmed positive), you must stay at home until:
- At least 7 days after the first positive COVID-19 diagnostic test AND have remained asymptomatic.
- If symptoms develop, follow the instructions for symptomatic confirmed positive cases.
If you test positive for COVID-19 and have been designated by your employer as Health Care Personnel, you must stay at home until:
- At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever (without the use of fever-reducing medications) and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) AND at least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
- Upon returning to work, you should wear a facemask at all times while in the Health Care Facility until all symptoms have completely resolved or until 14 days after the illness started, whichever is longer.
“The health department is asking anyone who is or will be affected by this isolation order to cooperate with the Putnam County Department of Health and provide accurate information about their illness, potential exposure sites, and people who may have been exposed. If a person under isolation has worsening symptoms, they should call their healthcare provider and follow their instructions.”
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