BATH – The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification that an additional Steuben County resident tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total to 277 confirmed cases, eight of which are currently active. The individual is a resident of the Town of Erwin.
The individual is isolated and being monitored by the County Health Department. Public Health staff investigated and identified close contacts of the confirmed case and exposure risks. All those known to have direct contact with the individual have been notified.
Per CDC and New York State Department of Health guidance, information is collected beginning 48 hours prior to symptom onset, or date of test if asymptomatic, through the day of the positive test result. The investigation indicates the individual followed public health precautions and posed no known public exposure risks.
“This individual traveled to a state that has a high infection rate earlier this month,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “With reopening and the summer months, there are increased opportunities for travel and socialization. Thankfully, we have seen a decline in cases locally, but it is still very possible to get the virus. We could see cases increase here quickly if prevention strategies are not utilized: continue to wear a mask in public when you cannot social distance, wash your hands regularly, and maintain a physical distance when in group settings.”
All residents should continue to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills or repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell and contact their healthcare provider for instructions if feeling ill.
For the latest Steuben County updates, visit Steuben County’s website at www.steubencony.org or social media pages: www.facebook.com/SCNYPublicHealth and www.instagram.com/SteubenPublicHealth.
