SYLACAUGA, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Public Health announced there are no known cases of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) reported in Alabama.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the outbreak of this new respiratory disease was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and has now been detected in 37 locations internationally, including cases in the United States.
The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on Jan. 30, 2020.
The upper respiratory virus has been shown to cause severe illness in people, and have ranged from mild to severe, including illness resulting in death. The CDC website lists 3 main symptoms associated with the coronavirus which are fever, cough and shortness of breath.
“The Coronavirus Virus has certainly created many concerns worldwide, and we hope to assure everyone in our region however, that Coosa Valley Medical Center (CVMC) is working closely with the Alabama Department of Public Health to stay abreast of the latest developments relative to the potential spread of the virus,” said President and CEO of Coosa Valley Medical Center Glenn Sisk. “Both local, state and federal officials are remaining in constant contact to insure every precaution is being taken to insure the safety of our patients and staff. The CVMC clinical team has been meeting to review our pandemic plans while also conducting drills internally. We encourage members of the greater community to continually practice good hygiene but should anyone experience concerning symptoms, our team is prepared to respond. ”
Unfortunately, there is currently no known vaccine for the virus but CDC offers some tips to take preventative measures which are as follows:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- 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.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
- 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
