Central District Health Announces Online Resources to Help Slow the Spread

Situation Update
Central District Health (CDH) has received 317 reports of lab-confirmed COVID-19, to date, and documented community transmission is occurring in Ada and Elmore Counties. Over 200 of these reports have been received in the past week.

With this rapid increase in reported cases, CDH is prioritizing investigation efforts with
full case and contact investigation occurring among:

• Persons residing in an area that does not have documented community spread,
• Healthcare workers,
• Residents or staff of long term care facilities and other congregate living facilities,
  and
• Hospitalized patients.

CDH will conduct abbreviated interviews with individuals who do not fall into the above categories. CDH strives to be timely in all investigations, length of time to interview varies based on priority and number of cases received, currently ranging from 1-4 days from receipt of positive lab report. Patients receiving abbreviated interviews will be encouraged to notify close contacts of potential exposure using the patient resources listed below.

Healthcare Provider and Patient Resources
CDH has published a number of COVID-related resources on its website COVID-19 including a page specific to healthcare providers with forms, copies of COVID related health alerts, patient resources, and answers to frequently asked questions.

CDH encourages healthcare providers to direct patients to our website for more specialized information about what to do if you’re sick from COVID-19, home care recommendations, and self quarantine recommendations for close contacts. These documents can be found under resources for the general public.

COVID-19 Infectious Period
Idaho has adopted CDC recommendations for determining the infectious period of a person with COVID-19. This spans from 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms through the time that the patient has been afebrile and symptoms have improved for 72 hours, and at least 7 days have passed since onset.

If a patient has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 but does not have a known exposure and is not tested, CDH recommends self-isolation at home for at least 72 hours after fever resolves and symptoms improve.

United Way Coordination of Medical Supply Donations
CDH and Southwest District Health have partnered with the United Way of the Treasure Valley to receive donated medical supplies, PPE and hygiene items. Clinics or facilities having a need may request donated items at https://fs9.formsite.com/uwtv/MedServProv/index.html?1585240425160. Individuals or businesses looking to make a donation should fill out the form at https://fs9.formsite.com/uwtv/COVID-19-PPE-supplies/index.html.