Happy Thanksgiving to all. We certainly have much to be thankful for despite how much our lives have changed. The numbers of positive COVID tests in Monroe County are increasing, but hopefully, the percent positives will drop as we test more students. We know that schools have a very low rate of COVID-19 and if the percent positive of those tested is less than that of the community after 2 weeks, we can stop screening our students.
In my humble opinion, we should screen patrons in bars and restaurants or even in shopping malls or stores. But that is another story.
We have tested over 200 patients since the start of school and over 60 tests in the office since we obtained reagents for PCR testing 3 weeks ago. We, too, are seeing a little uptick in positives with about a 4.6% positive rate in in office testing and about a 3.3% rate overall since the start of school.
We continue to receive a number of calls about children who have been exposed to someone in school or at sporting event. By strict definition, a contact occurs when within 6 feet for 15 minutes of someone who tests positive. If masks are involved, the risks are reduced significantly. Contact tracing by the county Health Department should reach out to you within 3 days of being notified. In general, anyone with an exposure needs to quarantine for 14 days. A test is not necessary and will not reduce the length of quarantine. A test is indicated if symptoms develop.
In the meantime, as Thanksgiving approaches, let’s take a minute or two to give thanks for all the good things that we still have in our lives. Despite all the bad that we have experienced, let’s think about some of the unique opportunities that “staying at home” have provided us. So, stay calm, stay careful and give thanks.