To keep the community informed regarding a worldwide health concern, the Moore County Health Department gave updates on the coronavirus to the Moore County Board of Commissioners Tuesday and issued a press release Friday.
The Moore County Health Department is informing the public that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed twelve cases of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the United States.
The patients recently returned from Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, where an outbreak of illness caused by this novel coronavirus has been ongoing since December 2019.
As of now, there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in North Carolina.
Symptoms of the virus include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. The illness can be more serious for individuals with a weakened immune system, the elderly, or those with underlying respiratory problems.
Individuals who have traveled to Wuhan and develop a fever, cough, or respiratory symptoms within 14 days of their return are urged to seek medical care right away. Before visiting a medical provider, it is important to call ahead and tell them about any recent travel as well as any symptoms.
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. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
▪ 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.
All Moore County medical personnel and first responders have been informed about coronavirus and have protocols in place to ensure the public’s safety, should Moore County encounter a case of it.
The Moore County Health Department urges Moore County residents to stay informed by seeking out the most accurate, up to date information regarding the virus. For continual updates, please visit the Health Department website at www.moorecountync.gov/health, the Health Department Facebook page (MOCO Health), or the Health Department Twitter feed (@mocohealth).
Additional information regarding coronavirus:
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services: https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/diseases/2019ncov.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Travel health notices: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/#travel-notice-definitions
World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
For general questions (not urgent) about coronavirus, contact NCDHHS at: [email protected] or 1-866-462-3821
According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses are transmitted between animals and people. Research has found that SARS-CoV was passed from civet cats to humans, while MERS-CoV was transmitted from dromedary camels. There are several coronaviruses present in animals that have yet to infect human beings. To help prevent the spread of infection, thoroughly cook meat and eggs.
~Written with the help of Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Dave Lukow.
