With new COVID-19 cases being diagnosed every day in Florida and the United States, it can be alarming for all of us, even for those who are in the medical field. It is difficult to sort through all the information that is being reported to find what is important and what is verifiably true. The Department of Health in Madison County would like to share some key information with you, along with resources you can rely on to provide timely and accurate updates.
Coronaviruses are not new. There are many different types of coronaviruses. COVID-19 is a newly identified coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The first cases were linked to a seafood and live animal market, and it has since spread from person to person.
This virus is spread through respiratory droplets from someone who is infected, and who coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread through close contact, which is six feet or less between the infected person and someone else. There is currently no vaccination available, and no medicine that targets the virus, although these are being developed.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. These can be mild or severe. The virus is more severe in the elderly population and in people with underlying health conditions. Symptoms take between two and fourteen days to appear. This is the reason that people who have been exposed are isolating themselves for fourteen days.
The Florida Department of Health’s Laboratories are using test kits from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to test samples from those who have traveled to an area with high levels of the virus and from those who have been exposed to someone known to have the virus. Any positive test is considered preliminary or presumptive until it is sent to CDC for a confirmatory test. Quest and LabCorp now have a commercially available test that can be used by private doctors to test patients.
If you think you are at risk and have symptoms you should:
Call you health care provider and tell them about your possible exposure and symptoms;
Avoid contact with others;
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; and,
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
Steps for preventing the spread of COVID-19 are the same as for any communicable disease and include:
Washing your hands often with soap and water;
• Using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol;
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth;
• Avoiding close contact with sick people; and,
• Staying home if you are sick.
CDC is also recommending avoiding travel to affected areas or boarding cruises at this time. You may see public events being cancelled, schools being closed and nursing homes limit or prohibit visitors in areas where COVID-19 is high. These are precautions to stop the virus from spreading in the community.
There are websites you can visit if you would like updated information. CDC’s website is cdc.gov/coronavirus/index.html and the Florida Department of Health’s website is FloridaHealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/2019-nCoV/index.html. You can also call the 24-hour statewide hotline at 1-866-779-6121, or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov. You can always call the health department at (850) 973-5000 as well. We are here to assist you.
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