Carroll County Public Health has been an invaluable resource for residents, providing daily updates on the situation here at home. Public Health Nurse, Sara Schulte, says that although things have been quiet with only one positive COVID-19 patient, who has since recovered and is free to resume allowed activities, we all should continue to practice physical distancing. With the peak now set at May 1, this practice will need to be followed for quite some time.
Schulte says when the pandemic first broke, her office was extremely busy. Things have quieted some, but this is likely the calm before the storm. Carroll County Public Health is busy preparing for that eventuality.
Schulte and her staff are also working with local vendors to gather ventilators and evaluating equipment they have on hand that can be converted. As testing continues on a daily basis, she says they are still doing the nasal swab type and she is unsure when they will be able to do the new blood tests. Anyone who meets the guidelines is being tested and as of Wednesday morning, they had tested 93 patients with 76 negative and 17 pending. According to Schulte, these results tell them the virus is not widespread in the county yet, but she asserts it is coming.
The most vulnerable populations include those with underlying health conditions and the elderly. Preventative measures with local nursing homes and assisted livings include some strict procedures Schulte says. There are no visitors allowed except for end of life situations. Direct-care staff are wearing eye protection and masks. Employees who are sick are staying home and ill residents are being isolated. And for those elderly citizens who are at home, Schulte stresses the need for them to be extremely careful.
To help protect themselves and others, Schulte says they also have a message for the younger residents of the county.
A link to the full interview with Schulte can be found below.
Full interview with Carroll County Public Health Nurse, Sara Schulte:
KCIM Interview: Sara Schulte Carroll County Public Health Nurse
