Arizona health official discusses protocol for positive COVID-19 patients
Mar 18, 2020, 4:45 AM
(AP photo)
(AP photo)
PHOENIX — As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to increase in Arizona, there are still many questions regarding the protocol that follows a positive test result.
“I can totally understand that concern especially because this is a new virus and people don’t really know what to expect,” Jessica Rigler, assistant director at Arizona’s Department of Health Services told KTAR News 92.3 FM.
In Arizona, a case interview is conducted with a person after they test positive for coronavirus. This is done so the AZDHS can learn about the patient — their previous locations and who they have been in close contact with.
“Through the course of those interviews, [health care workers] are able to identify who those individuals may have come into close contact with,” Rigler added.
From there, local health officials follow up with anyone that could have been exposed to the coronavirus via the infected patient.
At-risk individuals are then advised on the next steps they should take, which could vary from monitoring for symptoms or quarantining.
However, unlike an illness such as measles, health officials don’t share such information with the general public.
“In the case of measles, you will often see public health providing very specific information about locations with the address and times where an infected individual had visited,” Rigler said.
“That’s because Measles can linger in the air for several hours after an infected person leaves the area.”
Coronavirus, on the other hand, coronavirus spreads via droplets –transmitted through sneezing or coughing — during close contact with an infected individual.
What’s the life span of droplet that could potentially spread coronavirus? Health officials don’t yet know.
“There are still studies ongoing in the scientific community to determine just how long the virus can live on a particular surface — whether that’s a door handle or a grocery cart,” Rigler added.
