COVID-19 Updates

 

 

COVID-19
COVID-19 is a Class B reportable disease in Ohio. Confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 should be reported to the local health district in which the person resides by the end of the next business day.

What is it?
COVID-19 is a virus that can cause respiratory symptoms and can easily be spread. Most people who contact the virus have mild symptoms, but some people can become severely ill.

 

How does it spread?
COVID-19 primarily spreads person-to-person by respiratory droplets. The virus can be spread even when someone is not having symptoms.

 

How long until symptoms appear?
2-14 days after exposure.

 

What are possible symptoms?                         
•Fever or chills
•Cough
•Fatigue
•Sore throat
•Nausea of vomiting

 

What are emergency warning signs for COVID-19?
•Trouble breathing
•Shortness of breath
•Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
•New confusion
If you or a child experience any of these symptoms, please dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

 

I tested positive for COVID-19. How long do I need to stay home?
An individual should isolate at home for at least 5 days from symptom onset, or if no symptoms, from the positive test date. If the individual is fever free for more than 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medicines) and other symptoms are improving, they can return to normal activities on day 6 as long as they agree to wear a mask, consistently and correctly, through day 10.
The CDC has an Isolation and Exposure Calculator, please visit Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19 | CDC for more information.

I was exposed to COVID-19. What should I do?
If you were exposed to COVID-19, you should start wearing a well-fitting mask as soon as you find out you were exposed. Day 0 is the last day you were exposed to the individual. For 10 days after last known exposure, you should watch for symptoms, and take extra precautions around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. On day 6 after the last exposure, it is recommended you take a COVID-19 test. If it is positive, you should isolate. If it is negative, you should continue to monitor for symptoms and wear a mask through day 10.

Please visit the CDC’s website for more information: What to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19 | CDC

 

How do we limit its spread?
•Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines.•Stay home if you are sick.•Avoid contact with people who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19.•Wear a mask if you were exposed and test on or after 6 days of last exposure.
For more prevention actions, please visit: How to Protect Yourself and Others | CDC

 

When should I make a report to the health department?
COVID-19 is a Class B reportable disease.

 

Confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 should be reported by the end of the next business day to the local health district in which the person resides (or the local health district wherein the person is being medically evaluated if the person's residence is unknown or not in Ohio).

 

Reports shall be by:
•The physician or other healthcare provider in attendance of a known or suspected case;
•A person in charge of a hospital, clinic, or other institution providing care, treatment, or having knowledge of a reportable confirmed or probable case pursuant to Ohio Adm.Code 3701-3-03;
•Any individual having knowledge of a person suffering from COVID-19.

 

An outbreak of COVID-19 in the K-12 or ECE setting is generally defined as two or more cases of COVID-19 who are epidemiologically linked, do not share a household, and are not close contacts of each other in another setting. Outbreaks of COVID-19 are to be reported by the end of the next business day to the local health department.

There are three health departments in Butler County. To find which health department your facility should report to, please go to https://odh.ohio.gov/find-local-health-districts or type in “ODH Find my LHD” into a web browser.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reviewed 8/18/2023

A copy of this information is available for download below.