Three New Cases Reported

PRESS RELEASE

Three new cases of COVID-19 were reported to the Baker County Health Department today, bringing the total case count in the county to 19. The Baker County Health Department is conducting case investigation and contact tracing to identify anyone who may have come in close contact with the individuals in the last 14 days.

In just over three weeks, 18 new cases have been reported. Mark Bennett, Baker County Commissioner and Incident Commander, says, “We are seeing the virus spread in our community, and we need to be proactive to slow it down. Social gatherings are a common theme we’re seeing in how people are exposed. Be aware of the risk- social distance, wear masks when appropriate, wash your hands frequently, and ask questions about the risk of exposure from others who will be there. We can reduce the spread by changing the way we gather with friends and family. As far as I know, fortunately, we’ve had no hospitalizations.”

If you are identified as someone who was a close contact and may be at risk for COVID-19, you will be notified. Please support the Health Department’s contact tracing efforts by having voicemail available in the event you cannot answer. As required by law, the Health Department protects individual privacy while investigating cases. Any individual who tests positive for COVID-19 is asked to isolate at home for 14 days to prevent spread of the illness to other people in the community. Anyone identified as a close contact of the individual who tests positive will be asked to quarantine to avoid exposing others to the virus.

As cases increase in the county and surrounding areas, protect yourself as well as your friends, neighbors and community by wearing face coverings in public, maintaining 6 feet of distance between yourself and others, and washing your hands regularly. People who have mild signs of COVID-19 should stay home, unless the signs of illness are serious enough they would normally seek health care. Call your healthcare provider before going in to make a plan for how
to be seen, and avoid spreading illness to others. Signs of COVID-19 include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. For a full list of symptoms and when to seek emergency medical attention visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html.