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 326 confirmed cases, six of which are currently active. The individual is a resident of the Town of Thurston.
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 to identify any potential exposure risks. The investigation indicates the individual is a contact of a previously reported positive individual. Because the individual has been under quarantine as a contact there are no public exposure risks.
“Although there are still things we are learning about this novel virus, we do know that coming into contact with a positive individual poses a large risk,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “Quarantine procedures, along with all the other prevention strategies, work to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community. This case proves that when complying with quarantine restrictions, you are greatly reducing the risk for continued exposures and spread.”
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.
