News release
WATERTOWN, NY — Over the past few weeks, positive COVID-19 cases and contacts to cases have climbed dramatically. The Jefferson County Public Health Service will no longer be announcing possible COVID-19 exposure locations, such as stores and restaurants, in Jefferson County. COVID-19 is considered widespread, and residents should assume when they are out in public anywhere, they can be exposed to COVID-19.
The department will continue to contact trace every positive case and associated contacts in Jefferson County.
It is important that residents remain diligent and continue to do their part to limit the spread of COVID- 19. Please protect yourself and others by wearing a face covering if you are out in public, social distance, and routinely wash your hands. In homes and workplaces, regularly disinfect commonly touched areas, including light switches, door knobs, faucets, appliance handles, etc. Everyone should always be self-monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19. Parents should monitor their children for symptoms of COVID-19. Symptoms include fever, cough, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, and/or difficulty breathing. If symptoms develop, please stay home and/or keep ill children home, and contact your doctor for guidance on testing. In the event of an emergency, please call 911.
COVID-19 Testing Sites in Jefferson County:
The Jefferson County Public Health Service urges residents to receive a COVID-19 test if they are symptomatic. To locate a testing site near you, please visit the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) COVID-19 Test Site Finder at https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you, enter your zip code, and identify the testing locations, contact information, hours open, and type of tests
given. As testing capacity increases in the County, sites will be updated in the NYSDOH Test Site Finder.
COVID-19 Test (At-Home Kit):
For a fee, individuals can now order COVID-19 diagnostic collection kits online by visiting the NYSDOH COVID-19 Test Site Finder at https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you. After you enter
your zip code, and prior to the list of testing locations listed, a yellow box labeled “COVID-19 Test (At-Home Kit) will display. Click “Learn More” to purchase a kit from either Vault Health or Labcorp. After completing an online screening, if testing is determined necessary, you will be able to place an order for a home test kit. Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, kits are currently reserved for individuals experiencing symptoms or those who have been recommended for testing by a healthcare provider, local health department, or contact investigator. You must be 18 or older to take the At-Home test.
The kit enables you to collect a nasal swab at home and send it to a certified lab for processing. Secure digital results will be received in days.
Your test results will confirm whether or not you are infected with SARS-CoV-2. If your results are positive, it is important to limit your exposure to other people and continue to monitor your symptoms.
If your results are negative, the virus was not present in the sample you provided. However, it is important to note that the virus may not be detected by the test in early stages of the infection.
Furthermore, the virus may not be detected if the sample is not collected as directed. If you have reason to believe you have been exposed, it is important to follow up with a healthcare provider for further evaluation or to get re-tested.
Per the Labcorp link on the site, if you purchase a test through Labcorp, after receiving your results, you will have the opportunity to speak with a licensed physician who can answer any questions you may have about your test results and help determine next steps in care.