**UPDATE** Click here for a link to the update from the Board of Health
As the situation around Coronavirus continues to develop, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health would like to offer some guidance and resources for residents.
CORONAVIRUS OVERVIEW
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
“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.
At this time, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).”
“When person-to-person spread has occurred with MERS and SARS, it is thought to have happened mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread. Spread of MERS and SARS between people has generally occurred between close contacts.”
SYMPTOMS
Fever and lower respiratory tract issues such as cough and shortness of breath
TREATMENT
There is not an anti-viral medication or a vaccination/immunization available for 2019-nCoV
PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE
Given that we are currently in the midst of flu season, we recommend following the same general
practices of good hygiene to prevent Coronavirus as well as flu, colds and other illnesses:
- Sneeze or cough into the bend of your elbow to keep germs from spreading
- Regularly wash your hands with soap and water/use alcohol-based hand sanitizer in between
- Don’t share cups, spoons, forks, etc. with anyone
- Don’t make food for anyone if you are sick
- Don’t go to work or school if you are sick
- Visit a doctor, urgent care or emergency department if you are sick – don’t take chances
Please contact your medical provider with any questions.
TRAVEL
If you are traveling internationally, please review your plans in advance of your trip. Conditions are being updated daily and travel alerts are subject to change. See the Resources section below for links.
RESOURCES
To learn more about Coronavirus including answers to frequently asked questions, travel information
and daily updates:
CDC Coronavirus page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
CDC Health Alert Network - Update and Interim Guidance on Outbreak of 2019 Novel Coronavirus
(2019-nCoV) in Wuhan, China: https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/HAN00426.asp
International travel - U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html
Information-Pages/China.html
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
CONTACTS
Kevin Brennan, Communications Officer
Cuyahoga County Board of Health
216.313.4227
kbrennan@ccbh.net
Rebecca Hysing, Preparedness Coordinator
Cuyahoga County Board of Health
216.201.2001 ext 1602
rhysing@ccbh.net