News from Franklin County Public Health
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Notice to Public
January 22, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine is in Limited Supply
According to a January 21st assessment by the North Country Regional Vaccine “Hub,” Franklin County residents are on par with or ahead of other regional county residents in the number of people who have received vaccine to date. This is great news! Doses have been administered so far by Adirondack Health, Alice Hyde, and Kinney Drugs. To date, Franklin County Health Department is awaiting their vaccine allotment, as are other health care providers in the county. NYSDOH has indicated that vaccine supply is limited, but the state sites established in Potsdam and Plattsburgh are continuing to book appointments—so if you are a Franklin County Resident who is able to make the trip to get the vaccine at this time, please do so! If not, there will be vaccine forthcoming and a county-wide effort to ensure that everyone attains access to the vaccine as soon as possible. When vaccine is allocated from the state, NYSDOH will define who may receive it from the specific entity receiving the allotment. Recent guidance from NYSDOH directs local health departments to focus on vaccinating the essential worker population in Phase 1B. Go to https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/…/covid19guidanceforf… for more on this guidance. Franklin County will continue to update residents on vaccine availability as the information becomes available.
Ongoing Community Spread
Franklin County Public Health is advising residents to remember that there is ongoing community spread of COVID-19. Some people who have the virus will not have symptoms, but still be able to spread to others. In cases where there are symptoms, spread is possible in the 48 hours before symptoms develop, and during the time asymptomatic person may be awaiting a test result. Spread occurs prior to the health department being notified of lab results, identifying confirmed cases, and issuing isolation and quarantine orders. This is why the health department requests that residents take precautions at all times, not just when known cases are identified. Please continue to wear a mask when you are out in public, maintain a physical distance from others of at least 6 feet, and wash your hands frequently. Avoid gathering with those outside of your household, and if you are sick, stay home and contact your health care provider for further guidance.
As a reminder, the symptoms of COVID can include any of the following: fever, cough, trouble breathing, muscle aches, tiredness, headache, sore throat, runny nose, loss of smell or taste, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. If you have any of these symptoms, please self-isolate and contact your health care provider to determine if you need a test or if there is another reason for your symptoms. If you think you may have come in contact with someone who has COVID symptoms, please self-quarantine until you know that person’s COVID status.
Posted: January 22nd, 2021 under Heathcare News, Northern NY News.