Forest Park, Ga. – An employee of the Clayton County Health Department has tested positive for COVID-19. Public health officials were notified on April 16 of the result. Recent studies indicate that people who are infected but do not have symptoms likely also play a role in the spread of COVID-19. The incubation period of exposure will end Thursday, April 23, for staff and clients of the health department.
Clayton County Health officials are working to identify all contacts who may have been exposed while the staff member may have been infectious. People who are identified as having been exposed will be contacted directly by a Clayton County Health official and will be provided instructions for monitoring if they are not symptomatic. Those who are having symptoms will be offered to be tested.
All residents play a critical role in helping to slow the spread of COVID-19 by adhering to the following guidance:
- Practice social distancing by putting at least 6 feet between yourself and other people.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
According to federal and state health officials, people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 do not need to be tested. Additionally, most people who are mildly or moderately ill with “cold-like” symptoms do not need to be tested. Most people with COVID-19 can safely recover at home with self-isolation. Diagnosis through laboratory testing does not change the care that they would receive. Older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 and should always consult their healthcare provider if they are sick.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued revised guidance on COVID-19 recovery. The most important step in containing COVID-19 is that people who are sick with mild respiratory symptoms – fever and cough – should stay home and isolate themselves from others for at least fourteen days after their symptoms began or 72 hours after their fever has resolved and symptoms have improved.
Correctly washing your hands and maintaining social distance by avoiding large gatherings and close contact with people who are sick are two of the easiest ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
For accurate and reliable information about COVID-19 log on to https://dph.georgia.gov/novelcoronavirus or https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.