Health officials reiterate procedures amid outbreak

With cases of COVID-19 on the rise in Crook County, the chances of a community member experiencing symptoms appear to be higher than at any other point yet during the pandemic. At least ten new cases have appeared in just the last week, prompting Crook County Medical Services District and Crook County Public Health to reissue guidance on how you should react if you have been exposed to COVID-19.

“In light of a recent increase in COVID-19 cases in Crook County and within the Crook County School District, CCMSD and Crook County Public Health would like to outline the procedure we will be following,” says Charity Lindholm, Infection Preventionist.

Please watch for any symptoms that are consistent with those experienced by COVID-19 patients. This includes fever or chills, a cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, body or muscle aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea.

If you experience any of these symptoms, please contact your local clinic for information about protocols for receiving a COVID-19 test. You can reach Sundance Clinic at 283-2476, Moorcroft Clinic at 756-3414 or Hulett Clinic at 467-5281.

The clinics are open from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Outside of these hours, contact Sundance Hospital at 283-3501.

Certain symptoms are associated with a more serious case of COVID-19 that may require medical intervention. If you experience any of these symptoms, please seek emergency care: difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake or bluish lips or face.

If you have potentially been exposed to COVID-19 but are not experiencing any symptoms, please contact Public Health at 283-1142 with any questions or concerns.

Guidance from Public Health recommends that you stay home and avoid contact with others if you feel sick unless you need to seek medical attention. Please do not report to the hospital or your healthcare provider without calling first unless it is an immediate life-threatening situation.

“There are a limited number of tests available as well as limited protective equipment due to this public health crisis,” says Lindholm.

“CCMSD will not turn anyone away seeking medical care, but we do have protocols in place that are meant to keep patients and staff as safe as possible and preserve the protective equipment that we do have.”

If you have been exposed to COVID-19 and encouraged to quarantine, a negative test does not release you from that recommendation, she adds.

With at least ten active cases in the county, Public Health is also stressing the need for all community members to follow protocols aimed at preventing the disease from spreading further. It’s important to note that not all people who contract COVID-19 will exhibit symptoms, so it’s impossible to be sure that you are virus-free or that the people you come into contact with are not infectious.

Recommendations from Public Health are to continue practicing physical distancing by staying at least six feet away from other people and limiting that contact to ten minutes or less. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; this process breaks down the lipid on the virus cell wall and washes it off your hands.

Cover coughs and sneezes and wear a face covering when you cannot maintain six-foot distancing. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, counter tops, faucets, sinks, phones and keypads.