Covid-19/Coronavirus

CDC information on the Coronavirus: www.cdc.gov

Florida Department of Health: www.floridahealth.gov

Hendry County Updates:

www.hendryfla.net

Florida COVID19 Case Dashboard:

What we know about the Coronavirus

2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus (more specifically, a coronavirus) identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. Early on, many of the patients in the outbreak in Wuhan, China reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. However, a growing number of patients reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, indicating person-to-person spread is occurring.

Symptoms

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

●Fever or chills

●Cough

●Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

●Fatigue

●Muscle or body aches

●Headache

●New loss of taste or smell

●Sore throat

●Congestion or runny nose

●Nausea or vomiting

●Diarrhea

Look for emergency warning signs for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately:

●Trouble breathing

●Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

●New confusion

●Inability to wake or stay awake

●Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

Call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

Prevention

There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

●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. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
●Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
●Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
●Stay home when you 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.

Steps to help prevent the spread of 2019-nCoV if you are sick:

Stay home except to get medical care

You should not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas, and do not use public transportation or taxis.

Separate yourself from other people in your home

As much as possible, you should stay in a different room from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available.

Call ahead before visiting your doctor

Before your medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have, or are being evaluated for, 2019-nCoV infection. This will help the healthcare provider's office take steps to keep other people from getting infected.

Wear a facemask

You should wear a facemask when you are in the same room with other people and when you visit a healthcare provider. If you cannot wear a facemask, the people who live with you should wear one while they are in the same room with you.

Cover your coughs and sneezes

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or you can cough or sneeze into your sleeve. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can, and immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Wash your hands

Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid sharing household items

You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding, or other items with other people in your home. After using these items, you should wash them thoroughly with soap and water.

Monitor your symptoms

Get medical care quickly if your illness is getting worse (for example if you are having trouble breathing). Call the healthcare provider ahead of time and tell them that you have, or are being evaluated for, 2019-nCoV infection. This will help the healthcare provider's office take steps to keep other people from getting infected.

Avoid contact with pets and other animals

Do not handle pets or other animals while sick. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with 2019-nCoV, several types of coronaviruses can cause illness in animals and spread between animals and people. Until we know more, avoid contact with animals and wear a facemask if you must be around animals or care for a pet.