{"id":127607,"date":"2020-01-30T08:19:37","date_gmt":"2020-01-30T13:19:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevwindependent.com\/news\/?p=127607"},"modified":"2020-01-31T08:23:58","modified_gmt":"2020-01-31T13:23:58","slug":"vw-county-health-district-provides-coronavirus-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/2020\/01\/30\/vw-county-health-district-provides-coronavirus-update\/","title":{"rendered":"Health Dept. provides Coronavirus update"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

VW independent\/submitted information<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Van Wert County General Health District is working with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) to monitor the current situation regarding the 2019 Novel Coronavirus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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At the time of this release there are no confirmed cases in Ohio, while health officials across the U.S. are working with healthcare providers to promptly identify and to evaluate any suspected cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Van Wert County General Health District wants to reassure the public we are monitoring the current situation and are in frequent contact with ODH and CDC,\u201d said Paul A. Kalogerou, county health commissioner\/medical director. \u201cThe Ohio Department of Health\u2019s website,\u00a0www.odh.ohio.gov, reports that an estimated 20,000 flu related deaths occur each year in the U.S. and as of right now no deaths have occurred from the Coronavirus in the U.S.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are committed to the safety of our community and will release additional information and guidelines as they become available,\u201d Dr. Kalogerou added. \u201cPlease read and follow the precautionary guidelines released by ODH and the CDC.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At this time, precautions are universal and the same as those used to prevent the spread of the common cold and the flu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

–Wash hands often with soap and water. If not available, use hand sanitizer. Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

–Avoid contact with people who are sick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

–Stay home while sick and avoid close contact with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

–Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or a sleeve when coughing or sneezing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

–Those who have recently traveled to China, specifically Wuhan City, Hubei Province, or another outbreak area who feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing should do the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n