Following the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus in China and elsewhere around the world, the Ross County Health District is helping to provide some reassurance to the local area.
The Health District on Wednesday provided the media release titled: Novel Coronavirus Outbreak in Wuhan, China and elsewhere: What You Need to Know. It states the following:
What is the Novel (new) Coronavirus?
Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus strain that has only spread in people since December 2019. Human coronaviruses are common throughout the world. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people. When person-to- person spread has occurred it is thought to have happened via respiratory droplets, produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
What are the signs and symptoms of the Coronavirus?
Symptoms are similar to other respiratory viruses. If you have these symptoms, it does not necessarily mean you have this new virus! Unless you have recently traveled to Wuhan, China or have been around someone ill with this new virus, your risk of getting sick is near zero.
Symptoms include: Fever (may not always be present), coughing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Other early symptoms to look for include: Chills, body aches, sore throat, headache, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting
What You Can Do:
If you have not traveled to China or have not been in contact with a person known or suspected to have the illness, there is no reason to be concerned at this time. wwwnc.cdc.gov
If you have traveled recently to Wuhan, China, had close contact with someone who has been confirmed with, or is being evaluated for the Coronavirus, and you are well, you should: Monitor your health for 14 days, from the day you first traveled or had close contact with someone ill with this new Coronavirus. Watch for signs and symptoms listed previously.
If you experience symptoms: call your doctor, urgent care or hospital BEFORE going. They will give you instructions. Stay away from other people until you receive instructions.
How can I protect myself from Coronavirus and other viruses? www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and wash hands frequently. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer. Cover your coughs and sneezes. Avoid contact with sick people and stay home if you are sick.
The Ross County Health District (RCHD) and our federal, state, and local partners are keeping a close eye on the Coronavirus situation, and will provide public updates as needed. RCHD and our health system partners are trained and prepared to respond should a local individual contract the virus.
Healthcare providers should immediately notify their local health district in the event of a Person Under Investigation (PUI) for 2019-nCOV. The Ross County Health District Public Health Nursing phone number is 740-775- 1146, after-hours number is 740-779-9652.
Additional Resources:
Ohio Department of Health: www.odh.ohio.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
World Health Organization: www.who.int