novel-coronavirus

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently came out with new guidelines regarding “close contact” with those who test positive for COVID-19.

According to the CDC, “close contact” is anyone who is within six-feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes within a 24-hour time period. The previous guidance was being within six-feet of an infected person for at least 15 continuous minutes. Greene County Public Health Director Becky Wolf tells Raccoon Valley Radio, they are continuing to follow the previous guidance of the CDC.

“The Iowa Department of Public Health is aware of the new guidance from the CDC, and they are already elevating internally what contact tracing guidelines will look like.”

Wolf notes that public perception makes it look like the health officials have backpedaled since the start of the pandemic in March.

“But you have to remember that because this is an unknown virus from any other time, we’ve never had it in our world before, the guidance that we utilize, and that we follow, it has to be fluid. Because of the fact that as we learn more and more each day, things change.”

Until then, Wolf recommends following the three “Ws” to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including washing your hands, watching your distance and wearing a mask.