Health Department Hosts Coronavirus Meeting

The Lewis County Health Department hosted a meeting that included SEMA officials, emergency responders, local officials, school officials and others to discuss and prepare for the coronavirus outbreak. Debbie Sommers, Lewis County Health Department Administrator, said the meeting was well attended and information was provided to help with the crisis. At press time there were no confirmed cases in Lewis County. The following information in this article was provided by the health department.

How Coronavirus (COVID-19) Spreads:

When the coronavirus spreads person-to-person the Center for Disease Control (CDC) believes it happens mainly through droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Symptoms.

For confirmed COVID-19 infections, the illness ranges from people being mildly sick to people being severely ill. Symptoms can include: fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing.

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure. If ill with these symptoms, most area hospitals are asking people to call the hotline at 877-435-8411.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 infection. CDC always recommends these actions to help prevent the spread of the virus, including: wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available; 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 it in the trash; clean frequently touched objects and surfaces with household cleaners as the virus may live on surfaces; the CDC does not recommend wearing a mask if you are well; avoid shaking hands.