Audrain County Health Department Offers Recommendations to Residents Following Current Omicron Surge

The Audrain County Health Department is recommending some steps for residents to follow during the current Omicron COVID-19 surge.

According to the health department Audrain County is currently experiencing a surge in Omicron COVID-19 cases with more than 280 active and 57 probable cases as of Friday, January 28th.

If Audrain County follows national trends, then Omicron cases should peak here in the next week or two. In the meantime, we recommend the following steps for residents during the current Omicron surge.

1. Stay at home if sick to minimize spreading the virus. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to: fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath; fatigue; muscle and body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea.
2. Regardless of vaccination status wear a mask when in public.
3. If symptomatic wear a mask and social distance around family members (if possible) and isolate from immunocompromised individuals.
4. The following people should get tested for COVID-19:

• People who have symptoms of COVID-19.
• People who have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 should be tested to check for infection at least 5 days after they last had close contact with someone with COVID-19. The date of the last close contact is considered day 0.

Testing is limited due to the demand. Check with area pharmacies and Arthur Center Community Health for testing availability.

Order free at-home tests at COVIDtests.gov

When to call your doctor with COVID like symptoms:

If you learn that you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus or who has become sick, mask when in public and monitor yourself for any symptoms for the next 10 days.

Call your doctor’s office if you develop the signature symptoms associated with COVID-19, including:

• Fever (above 100.4 Fahrenheit)
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath

When to seek emergency medical attention for someone with COVID-19 or COVID symptoms.

If someone is showing any of these signs, call 911 and seek emergency medical care immediately:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

Schedule to get vaccinated and boosted at Audrain County Health Department or area pharmacies. Schedule online at myachd.as.me or call the health department at 573-581-1332.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at CDC.gov for more information.

Download further guidance at https://myachd.org/covid19-updates

At this time, no health advisories or mandates are in place in Audrain County, or any of its municipalities and, none are anticipated to be placed in the foreseeable future.

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