Van Buren/Cass Health Department and contact tracing.

Over the past month, the number of positive COVID-19 cases reported to Van Buren/Cass District Health Department (VBCDHD) have increased significantly.  Recent cases have reported numerous close contacts making contact tracing efforts difficult to sustain.  Even with assistance from partner organizations and increased staffing, capacity has been reached.  Individuals and their close contacts may not receive a phone call from Van Buren/Cass District Health Department.

 

Effective immediately, Van Buren/Cass District Health Department has made the decision, based on the overwhelming number of Van Buren and Cass County cases, to focus efforts on containing potential outbreaks by:

 

Continuing case investigation and contact tracing in nursing homes, hospitals, and schools as well as clusters identified as priority by VBCDHD such as high-risk congregate settings; and

 

Assisting businesses with COVID-related issues.

Individuals notified they are positive should do the following:

  • Isolate for 10 days. Individuals need to isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms or 10 days from the day a positive test sample was collected if they don’t have symptoms (asymptomatic). After 10 days, if your symptoms have improved and you are fever free without the use of medications, it is ok to return to normal activities. If you are still feeling sick, please consult with a medical professional as some people can be contagious for a longer period. if symptoms improve and you are fever free without the use of medications, it is okay to return to normal activities after 10 days
  • Notify all of your close contacts and ask that they quarantine.  A close contact includes people you have been within 6 feet of for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting 2 days before your symptoms began, or for COVID-positive individuals without symptoms, 2 days prior to when your test sample was collected.

o   Inform close contacts they need to self-quarantine for 14 days from their last contact to you while you were considered contagious and monitor for symptoms

o   If symptoms arise, get tested.