Miami County has had two new positive cases reported from the ISDH for our county. The individuals are at home in self-quarantine and being followed by their health care providers, as well as daily by the Miami County Health Department. As testing availability increases, we will see more positive cases throughout the United States.
It remains critical that each individual remain engaged in all CDC and ISDH guidelines and public updates found on the government websites. www.cdc.gov/COVID19 and www.in.gov. Indiana has an opportunity to avoid a surge of cases if everyone understands how widespread this outbreak may become and follows those guidelines.
To review:1) maintain the 6 feet social distancing at any grocery store, pharmacy, gas station, take out food service line that remains open as an essential service or business that falls under Governor Holcomb’s executive order found at www.in.gov/gov/2384htm from last week. Do not be in any large gathering at this time
2) hand washing for 20 seconds with soap and water frequently during the day and particularly after returning home and before eating. An alcohol based hand sanitizer is used if you do not have soap and water available 3) do not leave your house if you feel ill 4) self-isolation of the household if one individual is ill is needed to avoid spreading this virus to someone else’s household; this should continue for 14 days 5) avoid elderly individuals, those with chronic illnesses, those with weakened immune systems. Younger individuals with asthma would also fall in this category 6) disinfect non-porous surfaces with a commercial disinfectant, or one may be made from dilute bleach, with instructions for use on the back of the bottle. Commonly touched surfaces such as countertops, door handles, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, and car handles are especially important when you re-enter your house 7) "cough hygiene" is using your elbow and not your hand if you had to cough 8) Call your health care-provider if you develop symptoms and need advice- Lutheran Triage is one local number that can give good screening advice, 260-435-5050 or again the ISDH website has guidance to begin with.
With this new health challenge ahead, so much of our lives has changed very quickly. That is likely to continue for some time. Don’t neglect your underlying well-being. The stress of being home daily with children is not easy. Finding ways to engage with them while avoiding too much television or media time is possible. So many websites provide good family interaction suggestions now because we are all in this together as a nation. The YMCA has very good resouces for health and exercise on their website. Take a walk together, read together. Ask neighbors if you can drop off any necessities if they are isolated or elderly.
It is a time to work together and meet this crisis very quickly and effectively. Do the right things for each other.
Dr. Christi Redmon