Please be aware, due to the volume of phone calls, an increase in positive COVID-19 cases, and a higher demand for testing, the Jefferson County Health Department is no longer able to provide case investigation or contact tracing for every person in the community who tests positive for COVID-19. Most cases are being referred directly to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) for case investigations and/ or contact tracing, but that system is backlogged as well. The increase in positive cases is beyond what local and state staff can process. Some people who test positive may not be contacted for contracting tracing by either agency.
If you are sick or test positive for COVID-19:
-Stay home from work, school, and other public places.
-Monitor your symptoms carefully. If your symptoms are severe and you need medical care, contact a medical provider. If you have emergency symptoms, call 911. Emergency symptoms include difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to stay awake, pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds (depending on skin tone) call 911.
-Isolate for at least five days. Stay isolated longer if you still have symptoms. Avoid others in your home and wear a mask if you have to be near them.
-Avoid sharing personal items like dishes, towels, bedding with others in your home.
-If available, use a separate bathroom from the rest of your household members.
-Rest and stay hydrated.
-Clean surfaces with disinfectant.
-Make sure you have the supplies you need. Arrange for someone to pick up supplies for you or use a delivery service. Make sure to avoid direct contact with the person who delivers supplies.
Close Contacts:
A close contact is generally someone who was less than 6 feet away from an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hr period. If you are sick with symptoms of COVID-19 or if you test positive, please call the people who have been your close contacts starting two days before symptoms began. If you test positive but do not have symptoms, call close contacts starting two days before you tested positive. If you’re a close contact of someone who is sick or tests positive for COVID-19, follow quarantine guidelines based on your vaccination status. Please note, a person who tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days is considered exempt from quarantine requirements if they do not have any symptoms. Anyone with symptoms is required to isolate for at least five days, or longer than five days if their symptoms continue. Find more information from KDHE at
https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/.../Isolation...Testing:
The Jefferson County Health Department offers free testing daily from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. If you would like to schedule a test, call (785) 403-0025. At this time, test results may take several days to process.
COVID-19 Vaccines:
Pfizer vaccine is available for children aged 5-11 on Tuesdays by appointment. Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson boosters and primary series are available for those aged 12 and up on Thursdays by appointment.
Contact Jefferson County Health Department
(785)403-0025