Health Department encourages continued precautions as state reopens, testing available for first responders

Governor Parson announced on June 11, he will enter Phase II by reopening the state on June 16. The Daviess County Health Department in conference with David Roll, Emergency Management Director, and Jim Ruse, Daviess County Presiding Commissioner, will follow the governor’s recommendations/guidance for reopening.
However, the Health Department encourages everyone to take precautions and evaluate their own risks and the situations that can lead to increased risks. The Health Department will continue to encourage social distancing, monitoring your own health, wearing a mask if you are ill or working closely with someone who is ill, washing hands frequently, and disinfecting highly touched areas.
Long-term care facilities will have new guidance recommendations available this week which will outline the strategies for reopening.
Please respect those businesses and entities that choose to protect those they serve.
Businesses have an obligation both socially and legally to protect their employees and customers by taking reasonable steps to prevent the spread of illness within their facilities. Appropriate methods have already been implemented by most businesses, and should be maintained until the threat associated with illness has been removed.
COVID-19 is not gone, and the state will continue to increase testing. Currently Daviess County Health Department has investigated a total of seven positive COVID-19 cases with three cases still open and four recovered. The Health Department is still seeing cases increase in some of the counties around Daviess; some of these counties had no cases but now have several.
Testing for First Responders:
Daviess County Health Department completed a survey to see if anyone was interested in any kind of testing for COVID-19. Overwhelmingly, the response was for antibody testing to be done. Daviess County Health Department will offer free COVID-19 antibody testing to first responders on June 29. This is a blood draw that checks for antibodies developed by the body in response to a viral infection that may provide potential immunity against future infection. You do not need to be fasting for this blood test.
Community First Responders will include all nurses, doctors, EMS, police, and firefighters. The Health Department will be offering more testing for the community at a later date to be announced. For more information or for an appointment call 660-663-2414.