Here are the latest numbers reported to Marsha Hardy on August 20th per the Department of State Health Services [DSHS] for San Saba County:
1. New Confirmed and Probable Cases entered on 8-19-21: 2
2. Confirmed Cases Reported since 8-5-21: 24
3. Confirmed Cases Reported since 7-20-21: 37
So, in the last 30 days, San Saba County has reported 37 cases of Active Covid-19; with 24 of them being reported in the last 15 days.
Message by Dr. Craig Whiting -
The terms “quarantine” and “isolation” are often used interchangeably in these days of COVID-19; hopefully this article will help to clear up some of the confusion.
You quarantine when you might have been exposed to the virus. Early on after exposure, you may not know if you contracted the infection, but you could still be contagious.
You isolate when you have been infected with the virus, even if you don’t have symptoms.
Quarantine
Quarantine if you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 (close contact means being within six feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period).
The standard for quarantine after close contact is to separate from people (i.e. stay at home) for 14 days after the last contact. You should avoid contact with household members and even pets. If you develop symptoms, you should call your provider to see about getting tested. If you remain symptom free for 10 days, you can end your quarantine early. If you are symptom free and test negative for COVID-19 you can end your quarantine after 7 days. But even if you end your quarantine earlier than 14 days, you should nonetheless wear a mask when in contact with others for the full 14 days.
People without symptoms who are fully vaccinated or who have recovered from a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the past 90 days do not need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. To be cautious, these people should get tested three-five 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.
Isolation
Isolation is used to separate people infected with COVID-19 from those who are not infected. People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. At home, anyone sick or infected should separate from others, stay in a specific “sick room” or area, and use a separate bathroom (if available). Don’t share personal items like cups, eating utensils, towels, etc. Wear a mask if anyone has to get close to you. Monitor your symptoms. If you develop severe symptoms such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, difficulty staying awake or signs of low oxygen (pale, gray or blue-colored skin or nail beds) then call 911.
Isolation should last 10 days and can end when the person is fever-free for at least 24 hours without taking any fever-lowering medications (e.g. Tylenol®, Advil®, Aleve®, etc.), and all other symptoms are improving. An exception to symptom improvement is loss of taste and smell as these may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation.
Note that these isolation recommendations do not apply to people with severe COVID-19 or with weakened immune systems (immunocompromised). They may not recover as quickly and they should consult their provider to see when they can end isolation.
Message by Editor -
To help our community come to grips with this surge of the virus and to answer questions that you may have, you can submit your questions via email to: editor.sansabanews@centex.net, or online at the San Saba News & Star Facebook page. Questions can cover the virus and vaccine, as well as treatments that may be available.
Each week, Dr. Whiting will address a focal point of submitted questions covering the topic with pertinent information. As the Local Health Authority with Texas Department of Health Services for San Saba County, Dr. Whiting has access to resources to help find answers for the community’s concerns and inquiries.
Please limit your submissions to questions only. No opinions or criticisms will be addressed in these articles. San Saba News & Star encourages and appreciates your questions for this new series by Dr. Whiting.