A Fairfield health educator says residents should be discarding their used envelopes and washing their hands after touching their mail to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across Fairfield County and neighboring states rises, health educator Santina Jaronko, of the Fairfield Health Department, says those concerned about handling their mail shouldn't worry too much, but there are ways to be proactive.

Jaronko encourages avoiding direct contact with your mail carrier and to observe social distancing.

 "We're keeping that 6 foot distance apart from people, so if you don't have to go outside to say hello, it's probably better to do that from your window, and have them put the mail in the mailbox." Jaronko says.

Jaronko says the likelihood of becoming contaminated with COVID-19 from mail is low but she recommends discarding the used envelopes and washing your hands immediately after opening mail.

She says if you're grabbing mail and putting it on the counter top, just make sure you're disinfecting the counter afterward.

She says some studies have shown that the virus can live on cardboard for up to 24-hours so people handling packages can choose to open them a day after they have been delivered.  

Jaronko says after you open a package, you can wipe down the contents if you it's necessary.

The United States Postal Service says it's modifying its signature process for any packages that require one. Click here for more information.