Two Placed In Precautionary Quarantine, Local Risk Of Coronavirus Remains Low

MAYVILLE – Two people have been placed in a precautionary quarantine in Chautauqua County as health officials work to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

Chautauqua County Department of Health is reinforcing that the risk for infection by COVID-19 (novel Coronavirus) remains low in Chautauqua County. Meanwhile, Influenza (the flu) is still widespread locally.

“As of today, there have been no cases of COVID-19 in Chautauqua County and two people are in Precautionary Quarantine,” said Christine Schuyler, Director of Health and Human Services. “During the week ending February 29, there were 41 lab-confirmed cases in Chautauqua County, with 681 cases over the flu season so far.”

Some basic information on COVID-19 and Influenza:

These are two different illnesses caused by different viruses.

COVID-19 is a NEW strain of coronavirus and not much is known about it.
A vaccine and treatment options, such as antiviral medications, exist for Influenza.

No vaccine or treatment exists yet for COVID-19.
Both cause respiratory disease that can be mild to very severe.
Both are spread between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Older people and those with underlying health conditions are at higher risk of both.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and now with this new virus named SARS-CoV-2 (the disease caused by the virus is called COVID-19).

Health experts say its important to appropriately prepare and to help the public do that health department is updating its Facebook page and website daily with a situational update and links to the New York State Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This information will also be shared on the County Executive and Emergency Services’ Facebook pages. General questions regarding COVID-19 should be directed to the New York State Department of Health’s 24/7 Hotline: 1-888-364-3065.

Cases of COVID-19 are expected to increase due to the recent expansion of testing protocols. Our focus should be on slowing down the spread of this disease and everyone can help by taking routine precautions to prevent respiratory diseases, including:

Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands.
Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (sing the “happy birthday” song to yourself twice slowly).

If soap and water are not available, use hand-sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Avoid close contact with sick people. (Social distancing is considered being 6 feet apart.)

Stay home when you are sick. Even when you’re starting to get that tickle in your throat.
Cover your cough. Cough into your elbow or a tissue. Throw tissues in the trash. Wash your hands.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces such as phones, computers, door knobs, elevator buttons, light switches, toys, and serving utensils.

Masks are not recommended for healthy individuals or for use in the general public. Supplies are limited and should be reserved for people who have compromised immune systems, for ill persons to prevent them from spreading the virus by cough or sneeze, and for health care workers.

If you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and have traveled to an affected area listed on the CDC website (currently: China, Iran, Italy, and South Korea) or were in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 in the 14 days before you began to feel sick, seek medical care. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.