I've have nothing to add, but I did read San Juan Basin Health webpage and found it worth bringing over here - since I like science and rational reactions to real threats. I also believe in allowing serious experts to figure it out best they can and I appreciate it takes time. Remember these are the same scientists who have been crying their warnings for years and advocating for us to take these threats seriously and take precautions, become prepared. But who paid heed.
Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
At San Juan Basin Public Health we anticipate and respond to conditions that impact the quality of life in southwest Colorado. We are committed to informing our community on issues related to public health and are here to help provide answers.
At San Juan Basin Public Health we anticipate and respond to conditions that impact the quality of life in southwest Colorado. We are committed to informing our community on issues related to public health and are here to help provide answers.
People who are ill or believe they may have been exposed to the virus should not present at SJBPH.
Instead, If you have symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath and you’ve been in contact with someone confirmed to have novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), or if you’ve recently traveled to parts of the world with high COVID-19 infection rates such as China, Italy, and South Korea, you should call your doctor to receive further instruction and to assess if you meet criteria for testing. If you do not have a doctor, call SJBPH’s front desk at 970.247.5702, option 1.
What is the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak?
There is an expanding outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel or new coronavirus, first identified in Wuhan, China in early December 2019. This means that before this current outbreak, people had never experienced or been made sick by this virus. Cases have been detected in a number of countries, including the United States. As of March 5th, there are two confirmed case of COVID-19 in Colorado.
Understand the risk
- Under current circumstances, certain people will have an increased risk of infection:
- People who have traveled to areas where widespread community transmission is occurring.
- People who had direct close contact with someone who was confirmed to have COVID-19.
- Like any other virus, no identity, community, ethnic, or racial group in Colorado is more at risk for getting or spreading COVID-19.
- Not all coronaviruses are COVID-19. There are many other kinds of common coronaviruses currently circulating in Colorado and the U.S. that cause respiratory illness. There also are many other kinds of respiratory illnesses (such as colds and flu) circulating right now.
- It is normal in situations like this to have cases under investigation. That’s because health care providers are on the lookout for symptoms and members of the public have a heightened awareness.
- Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
How it spreads
Since COVID-19 is a new disease and there is more to learn about the virus, the current understanding about how it spreads is largely based on what is known about similar respiratory illnesses.
- Person to person contact:
- To become sick, you have to be exposed to the virus. CDC defines exposure as being within 6 feet (2 meters) of someone with a confirmed infection for a prolonged period of time.
- Exposure can occur through respiratory droplets– when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how flu and other respiratory viruses spread.
- Infected surfaces or objects:
- It may be possible to get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.
- For these reasons, people at increased risk of infection are:
- People who have been to areas where widespread community transmission is occurring.
- People who had direct close contact with someone who was confirmed to have COVID-19.
- Like any other virus, no identity, community, ethnic, or racial group in Colorado is more at risk for getting or spreading COVID-19.
- Following federal guidance, state and local public health agencies are working together to evaluate Colorado travelers returning from areas where widespread community transmission is occurring, in order to determine the need for monitoring, quarantine, or other restriction of movement and activities.
Symptoms and severity
- Symptoms of COVID-19, include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
- Illness can be severe and require hospitalization, but most individuals recover by resting, drinking plenty of liquids, and taking pain and fever-reducing medications.
Protecting yourself and others from COVID-19
There is no vaccine for COVID-19, but there are many actions you can take to protect yourself from getting COVID-19. These are the same actions that can protect you from getting any respiratory illness.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and
- after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay home when you are sick, and keep your children at home when they are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Important things to remember
- It is important to call ahead before going to see a doctor or emergency room to prevent the spread of illness. Tell them your symptoms and that you suspect you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 or had recent travel to a country that is experiencing community spread.
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. The use of face masks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health setting).
What San Juan Basin Public Health is doing
- As the situation is evolving quickly, SJBPH is monitoring the outbreak very closely
- Sharing guidance and educating community partners
- Preparing emergency response plans to be utilized if needed in the future
Guidance for Healthcare Professionals
Resources and guidance for health care professionals on patients with COVID-19 infections can be found:
Guidance for general public can be found at:
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
Guidance for travelers can be found here.
Who to contact
- For general COVID-19 questions, call COHELP at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911.
- To report a suspected case or for additional guidance, call either the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Disease Reporting Line at 303-692-2700 or San Juan Basin Public Health at 970-247-5702 option 1. (March <7, 2020)
For more information visit: https://sjbpublichealth.org/coronavirus/
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Here are some resources to be aware of when it comes to pandemic preparedness, especially with regards to the Coronavirus (COVID-19):
- Pandemic Preparedness (American Library Association)
- Resources for Libraries on Coronavirus (EveryLibrary)
- Coronavirus: Library and Business Operations Planning (National Library of Medicine)
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Colorado (Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment)
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- COVID-19: Resources and Privacy Considerations (LDH Consulting Services)
Courtesy of https://www.coloradovirtuallibrary.org/learning/library-trustees/trustee-corner-march-2020/
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