Health department supports Gov. Holcomb’s added steps to slow the spread of COVID-19

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

BLOOMFIELD — Although Greene County has not yet had a confirmed case, the possibility is high. The Greene County Health Department supports the actions taken today by Governor Eric Holcomb and is recommending county businesses increase prevention efforts to minimize the transmission of COVID-19.

The Greene County Health Officer, Dr. Peter J. Powers, recommends all County government buildings and municipalities begin screening employees and the public before entering. Individuals who present with a fever of 100.4 should not be allowed to enter County buildings. Those individuals should begin a 14-day self-quarantine and contact their healthcare provider.

The health department is recommending county businesses implement higher-level prevention strategies, such as the recent state-wide directive of short-term closures of bars, restaurants and nightclubs by Governor Eric Holcomb. (Delivery and carry-out services are allowed). Businesses should consider their clients, their location and possible risks using applicable guidance from CDC when making their decisions.

The goal of increased prevention actions is to minimize morbidity and mortality and the social and economic impact of COVID-19, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and elected officials. These actions include:

•▪ Introduce social distancing (6 feet) between customers or staff.

•▪ Stagger work schedules

•▪ Encourage staff to telework (if feasible), particularly individuals at increased risk of severe illness

•▪ Increase physical space between workers

•▪ Decrease social contacts in the workplace (limit in-person meetings, meeting for lunch in break room, etc.)

•▪ Create a supportive sick leave policy

•▪ Limit non-essential travel

•▪ Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10

•▪ Monitor staff for symptoms and visitors, if feasible

The Indiana State Department of Health has received more testing materials from the CDC but testing ability is still limited to those most at risk. Those with symptoms or concerns who want tested should look for a medical care provider who uses a commercial lab that performs the tests.

Because of these limits, some patients with symptoms may be told that they can’t be tested but to treat the illness as if they have coronavirus and to take necessary precautions. Consider short-term closures as needed

For more information:

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

Implementation of Mitigation Strategies for Communities with Local COVID-19 Transmission https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community-mitigation-strateg... Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 (OSHA) https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf

Interim Business Guidance for Businesses and Employers https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.h...

General inquiries from the public or questions from health care provider about COVID-19 may

be directed to the ISDH COVID-19 Call Center at the toll-free number 877-826-0011

(available 24/7) or email epiresource@isdh.in.gov.

For questions regarding COVID-19, most recent updates and resources, visit Indiana

Department of Health (ISDH) website at www.IN.GOV/ISDH and the CDC website at

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

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