PHD experiencing backlog of COVID-19 cases

With the recent surge in cases, tight labor market and demobilization of the National Guard, Panhandle Health District is experiencing a backlog of COVID-19 cases for July and August.

“A backlog creates two significant issues,” said Don Duffy, PHD interim director. “First, when our team is swamped with cases, we are unable to contact everyone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Second, we only report the number of cases processed that day, so the public doesn’t see the actual situation. For example, last Friday, August 20, we reported 36 cases, but in reality, we had over 900 cases left to process. We have temporarily mobilized PHD staff away from their current responsibilities to quickly eliminate the back-log.”

PHD currently has several positions open to hire additional staff to help with the COVID-19 efforts and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply. Positions can be found at panhandlehealthdistrict.org

“It is important for us to be transparent with our community as we know that schools, businesses and individuals make important decisions based on the information we provide,” said Duffy.

Knowing that the community may not receive guidance in a timely manner, PHD wants to remind the public what steps to take if they test positive for COVID-19 or have had close contact with anyone who has COVID-19.

• If you have symptoms of COVID-19, get tested and stay away from others while you await your results.

• If you test positive, self-isolate for 10 days since symptoms first appeared and 24 hours with no fever (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and other symptoms are improving.

• If you test positive, but have no symptoms, self-isolate for 10 days since you had a positive test.

• If you have had close contact with someone who has tested positive with COVID-19, self isolate and wait 5-7 days before getting tested. If choosing not to test, self-isolate for 10 days since last exposure. If choosing to test, end isolation after day 7 after receiving a negative test result (test must occur on day 5 or later).

Anyone who has had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and who meets the following criteria does NOT need to stay home.

• Someone who has been fully vaccinated and shows no symptoms of COVID-19. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 3-5 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms, and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.

Or

• Someone who has COVID-19 illness within the previous 3 months and • Has recovered and

• Remains without COVID-19 symptoms (for example, cough, shortness of breath)

Whether unvaccinated or vaccinated, it is recommended that everyone over the age of two wear a mask while indoors and in crowded outdoor areas. Along with mask wearing, other simple preventative measures are recommended such as frequent hand washing, avoiding large events and staying home when you are sick.

PHD urges the community to schedule their COVID-19 vaccine appointment through PHD or other participating providers in the area found at https://tinyurl.com/2wrjc8xz.

Visit PHD’s COVID-19 Vaccine website at https://panhandlehealthdistrict.org/covid-19/vaccine/ or call the PHD COVID-19 hotline to schedule your appointment at 877-415-5225.

Hotline hours of operation are Monday -Friday 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm. If you are interested in volunteering in the COVID-19 response, please register at www.volunteeridaho.com.