Taking Care of Our Community
November 12, 2020:
A Joint Statement from Uinta County Public Health, Evanston Regional Hospital and the Uinta County School District #1
The next few weeks will be critical to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community. We jointly ask that everyone in our community do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19.
First, know the symptoms.
You may experience one or some of the following:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Second, get tested.
If you develop any of these symptoms, please get tested. Testing is available Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm at the front entrance of Evanston Regional Hospital. You never have to leave your car. You’ll likely have to wait your turn to be tested, as the testing line has been very busy. Once you reach the front of the line, call the posted number. A staff member will take your demographic information over the phone. Then a tester will come out to your vehicle dressed fully in personal protective equipment (PPE).
There are two types of tests. A rapid, antigen test provides results same-day. This test is most appropriate for individuals with symptoms. It is not recommended for people without any signs or symptoms of illness.
A PCR test is more sensitive and is performed by the State Lab. Results usually take 3 to 4 days to receive from the state. All negative rapid tests are sent to the State Lab for confirmation.
Third, quarantine.
Once you have been tested, you should quarantine until you know the results and your symptoms resolve. That means no running to the grocery store or going out to eat. You should receive rapid results the same day you are tested. But even if you don’t have COVID-19, you should stay home until 24 hours after symptoms have gone away. Flu and strep are also highly contagious.
If your result is positive, you and everyone in your household should quarantine immediately. That means children should be picked up from school. Spouses should also leave work. The likelihood of others in the family developing symptoms is high, which is why everyone should stay home.
The first person in the household who tested positive needs to stay home and do their best to isolate from others until 10 days have passed since the start of their symptoms and they have marked symptom improvement, with at least 24 hours of being fever free without the use of medications. If a person has had no symptoms, they should stay home for 10 days from the date of the positive test.
Other household members who do not have any symptoms at that point should stay home for at least 14 days from the date of last contact with the person who tested positive. If household members do begin to show symptoms, they should isolate 10 days from the beginning of those symptoms, and seek testing.
This how we slow the spread: By ensuring, those you have been in close contact with don’t in turn spread COVID-19 to their circles.
Please don’t wait for Public Health to call you and tell you do this. Because we are experiencing such a high volume of cases, they cannot talk to every positive case immediately. By being proactive, you can make a difference in slowing the spread of COVID-19.
Uinta County School District #1 has resources in place to help children who must quarantine at home. Please talk to your child’s individual school about how obtain these resources for your child. Our community’s teachers are doing an incredible job of balancing the needs of our kids.
Asking individual families to quarantine allows our schools to stay open for everyone else. It allows our economy to stay open and healthcare providers to not be overwhelmed. At this point, the focus at Evanston Regional Hospital is on testing. The hospital has been testing over 130 people a day. The hospital continues to have an adequate number of ventilators, PPE, and staff to safely care for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients needing varying levels of care.
Do your part.
We are all impacted by the decisions others make. Please make an effort to limit your social gatherings in the next few weeks. Wear a mask when around others outside your immediate household. Properly wearing a mask means it covers your mouth and nose with no gaps. Wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. These are the tools we have at our disposal to protect ourselves and each other, especially those who are at-risk.
Evanston is a wonderful community, and we have a long history of rallying together to look out for one another. This time is no different. It is our pleasure and privilege to serve this great community. Thank you for supporting us as we navigate these uncharted waters and put the needs of our community first.
Uinta County Public Health
Evanston Regional Hospital
Uinta County School District #1