Editor’s Note: Click here for full-coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Finger Lakes.
The Seneca County Health Department was notified on Monday that an employee of Seneca Nursing and Rehabilitation Center located in Waterloo tested positive for COVID-19.
The employee is not a Seneca County resident and is currently in isolation and being monitored by their local health department. According to Vickie Swinehart, Director of Seneca County Health Department, Staff and residents are being monitored for symptoms and Seneca Nursing and Rehabilitation Center’s administrators are taking all the necessary precautions. Swinehart added, “These precautions include screening all staff when they report to work and excluding staff member who are ill.”
Seneca County residents are encouraged to monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 which include fever, shortness of breath and cough and should call their healthcare provider if they are unable to manage these symptoms at home.
Swinehart added, “It is even more vital that we all do our part and follow the guidelines for social distancing as outlined in the 10-point NYS on PAUSE Plan.” The NYS on Pause Plan includes:
- Non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason (e.g. parties, celebrations or other social events) are canceled or postponed at this time;
- Any concentration of individuals outside their home must be limited to workers providing essential services and social distancing should be practiced;
- When in public individuals must practice social distancing of at least six feet from others;
- Businesses and entities that provide other essential services must implement rules that help facilitate social distancing of at least six feet;
- Individuals should limit outdoor recreational activities to non-contact and avoid activities where they come in close contact with other people;
- Individuals should limit use of public transportation to when absolutely necessary and should limit potential exposure by spacing out at least six feet from other riders;
- Sick individuals should not leave their home unless to receive medical care and only after a telehealth visit to determine if leaving the home is in the best interest of their health;
- Young people should also practice social distancing and avoid contact with vulnerable populations; and
- Use precautionary sanitizer practices such as using isopropyl alcohol wipes
Swinehart added “We understand this is unsettling news for the residents of Seneca Nursing, their loved ones, the staff and the greater community. The health and safety of our residents is our top priority and we are working tirelessly to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Seneca County.”
For the latest Seneca County updates visit www.co.seneca.ny.us or email us at [email protected] or call (315) 539-1920. For additional COVID-19 resources call the NYSDOH COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-364-3065 or visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ or https://health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus.
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