Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1220016
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM MARCH 11-17, 2020 UCW 9 Coronavirus is a common virus that can infect your nose, sinuses or upper throat. It spreads much like cold viruses. Most coronaviruses are not dangerous, but some are. After a December 2019 outbreak in China, the World Health Organization identified a new type of coronavirus, which can be fatal. e outbreak of COVID-19 quickly moved from China around the world. It spreads the same way other coronaviruses do, through person-to-person contact. e symptoms of coronavirus are simi- lar to other upper respiratory infections, including runny nose, coughing, sore throat, and sometimes a fever. In most cases, you won't know whether you have a coronavirus or a cold. You could get lab tests, including nose and throat cultures and blood work, to find out whether a coronavirus caused the cold, but there's no reason to. e test results wouldn't change how you treat your symptoms, which typically go away in a few days. If coronavirus infection spreads to the lower respiratory tract, it can cause pneumonia, especially in older people, people with heart disease or people with weakened immune systems. e Cumberland County Depart- ment of Public Health is working closely with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services as well as regional and local partners to prepare for the possibility of COVID-19 infec- tions in the state. ere are no confirmed COVID-19 cases in North Carolina. "We are prepared to quickly iden- tify, monitor and respond to cases if they arise," said Dr. Jennifer Green, Cumberland County health director. "We are in regular communication with Fort Bragg, Fayetteville Regional Airport, local healthcare providers, local schools and institutions of higher learning to monitor COVID-19 information and briefings," she said. Our health department's senior leadership and epidemiology teams take part in weekly calls with North Carolina's Department of Health & Human Services about status updates and guidance. Cumberland County is working with other health departments in the region and Fort Bragg to conduct exercises in the event of an outbreak. Health officials recommend that everyone take precau- tions to protect themselves and others from the spread of respiratory illnesses. ey encourage individuals, families, institutions and agencies to take routine precautions: • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. • Encourage employees and visi- tors to get annual flu shots. Use tissues when sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose and discard the tissues after one use. • Clean common surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches and keyboards. • Employees should not return to work until they have been fever- free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine, even if they feel better. People experiencing symptoms such as a fever, cough or shortness of breath and have visited China or had close con- tact with someone who is suspected of having COVID-19 should seek immedi- ate medical attention. Before you go to the doctor's office or emergency room, call ahead and report your symptoms and recent travel history. e Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend everyone six or older get flu vaccines each season. e vaccine is available at the Health Department's Immunization Clinic at 1235 Ramsey St. e North Carolina Division of Public Health has established a call line at 1-866-462-3821 to address general questions. Preparing for Coronavirus by JEFF THOMPSON NEWS Wash your hands frequently to help prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Go Online 910-484-6200 www.upandcomingweekly.com Flip our pages for news, views, art and entertainment! Call and ask one of our marketing representatives to help you grow your business. YOUR HOME FOR THE 80'S & MORE ALL DAY LONG