Murray County Central continues to work closely with our local public health agency. We are pleased to share the following community message provided by Kristin Deacon, RN PHN, at Southwest Health and Human Services.
We know that going to school is vital for students. They get meals, physical activity, social and emotional support and an education. All of us have the goal of keeping kids in school AND keeping them safe. Schools are doing a great job at this! Schools are following the guidelines, and although our community infection rates remain high, we are NOT seeing the spread in our schools. It isn’t to say that there won’t continue to be students and staff needing to isolate/quarantine. But, this is evidence that the multiple mitigation measures we have in place are WORKING!
Testing is just one of the tools we can use to reduce the spread. We know that there are people who are in our communities who are asymptomatic or who have very mild symptoms. Many of them are choosing to not get tested. This means that they may be unknowingly spreading the virus to others. This is especially true in areas where masks requirements and social distancing recommendations are not being followed. Realizing that community testing may result in an increase in numbers in the short term, but it will help reduce the spread in the long run if people who are positive have that knowledge and they (and their close contacts) can isolate/quarantine.
While we all are weary of the toll that COVID-19 is taking on our communities, now is not the time to let down our guard or relax our efforts to limit the spread of the disease. All the mitigation strategies are important whether in school or in the community. There is no one strategy on its own that will be the answer. Masking as required, social distancing, washing hands, and quarantining are all mitigation strategies that work in conjunction with one another to prevent the spread of COVID. If you are a close contact of a positive case, please quarantine. If you are positive for COVID 19, please isolate from others to stop the spread. Isolation and quarantine are not a punishment they are protection. Implementing all of the preventative measures consistently will have a significant impact in reducing the spread. It is vitally important for the community to come together to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The success of these plans largely depends on the entire community following the guidelines set forth. We know that no one lives in a bubble, what affects one population will eventually affect another. The health of our community is up to all community members. If you have any questions, please contact me at 507-836-6486.
Thank you for doing your part and keeping our community safe.
Kristin Deacon, RN PHN
Southwest Health & Human Services