BROOKVILLE, Pa. (EYT) – On Wednesday afternoon, Jefferson County issued a Declaration of Disaster Emergency in alignment with federal and state disaster designations.
Additionally, the commissioners announced that effective immediately and until further notice, they are restricting access to county buildings to visitors and eliminating non–essential business.
County officials will continue to monitor developments and provide further guidance in the coming days.
According to Tracy Zents, Director of Jefferson County Department of Emergency Services, as of 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, there were no reported cases of COVID-19 in Jefferson County.
“We have been actively working on our contingency plans to deal with the Coronavirus epidemic,” Zents said in a release from the County. “The most important thing we can do at this time is to follow the advice of the CDC, medical professionals, the president, the governor, our county commissioners, and other local officials to help stop the spread of this virus.”
Zents stated that residents need to remain calm, but vigilant, regarding the current situation and continue practicing social distancing, as well as washing their hands often, and covering coughs or sneezes with inner elbows.
“We have developed contingency plans for the Emergency Services Building,” Zents said. “Visitor access is restricted to the lower level lobby only where our staff will communicate with you through a glass window. The emergency operations center has been activated to respond accordingly to this ever-changing and dynamic situation with updates and changes coming in about every three hours.
We have our EOC staff reaching out to different groups within the communities to help evaluate their situation and get real-time snapshots on the effects of the pandemic in each of the municipalities and townships in the County, and to assess their needs.
Zents noted that local hospitals and first responders are “paramount” in response to this situation.
“We are actively engaged with all of them to make sure they have the resources they need to respond to those calls,” Zents said. “Our 9-1-1 Center is currently on a non-visitor restriction.”
Zents stated that only county personnel and vendors required to keep critical infrastructure operating will be permitted at the 9-1-1 Center. He also noted they have developed a continuity of operations plan in the event that any of the staff becomes ill and cannot come to work.
“Our core mission is to be able to answer those 9-1-1 calls and get help to the people that need help,” Zents said. “We will continue to provide this level of service without interruption. We have changed several of our protocols for screening callers to identify the potential of a virus, so we can update our EMS agencies and hospitals for their safety. We ask all callers calling 9-1-1 to work with us for their overall safety.”
According to Zents, at the recommendation of the Department of Health, and to prevent an overload to the county’s EMS and hospitals, it is recommended that anyone with any of the identified symptoms first contact their primary care provider (PCP), and for those utilizing the Penn Highlands system, then call the Penn Highlands referral line at 814-375-6644.
“Please, do not go directly to your doctor, Q-Care, Express Care, or hospital without calling first,” Zents said. “We cannot overload our hospitals. Follow their guidance.”
He noted they are also asking local residents to be mindful of their friends and neighbors when picking up items at the store.
“While we know that everyone is stocking up to stay sheltered, it is sending shock waves through the communities, extending the fears. If we continue to purchase what we need once a week or every two weeks, there will be supplies for everyone.”
He stated the County will also be working with local community food banks to develop plans moving forward.
According to Zents, they will continue to monitor the current conditions and maintain situational awareness through the Emergency Operations Center and are asking local municipalities and emergency services agencies to “lean forward” and provide them with changes in posture, so the County knows how to support their needs.
“We will continue to do our due diligence to keep ahead of this situation,” Zents said. “There is no one on this planet that is immune to this situation. Whether you believe this or not, this threat is real. We can’t lose sight that we still have to function as a society, and we have to work together to restore our communities after this threat is over. It takes all of us to stop the COVID-19 spread.
“At Jefferson County, we prepare for the worst and hope for the best. We will get through this together.”
Because of the declaration, the following policies are in effect in Jefferson County:
For additional resources, county officials suggest visiting the following links:
Pennsylvania Department of Health Main COVID-19 Pages: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx
https://www.pa.gov/guides/responding-to-covid-19/
Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness Guide: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/Documents/Emergency%20Preparedness/2017%20DOH%20EP%20Guide.pdf
Centers for Disease Control Main COVID-19 Page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 FAQ Page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html
Copyright © 2024 EYT Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of the contents of this service without the express written consent of EYT Media Group, Inc. is expressly prohibited.
