Orange County has a plan of action if COVID-19 hits the community, officials said.
“UNC Health is well-prepared to handle any infectious diseases or outbreaks,” a spokesperson for UNC Hospitals wrote in an email to Chapelboro.com. “Our teams of clinicians, infectious disease experts, and emergency preparedness professionals continue to work closely with the CDC, state health department, and others to address the ongoing novel coronavirus situation.”
North Carolina announced its first confirmed case - a Wake County resident who traveled to Washington - on March 4. The state has 23 cases as of March 14, according to the state's Department of Health and Human Services.
“I know that people are worried about this virus, and I want to assure North Carolinians our state is prepared,” said Gov. Ray Cooper in a March 3 statement.
COVID-19 is spread through person-to-person contact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Standing within 6 feet of someone with the virus and/or inhaling or coming in contact with respiratory droplets from a cough or sneeze from an infected person is a high-risk factor. Those droplets can be inhaled. Additionally, it may be possible to contract the virus by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it.
COVID-19 symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath.
The CDC stresses washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands and be sure to cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash. It’s also wise to clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched frequently.
There are other preventative measures the CDC recommends, including staying home if you are sick and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
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