RENFREW COUNTY (Pembroke) — Canadian and provincial health agencies are working closely with public health and hospitals to keep the risk of spread of the 2019-novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Canada at a low level. The risk remains low in Renfrew County and District.
Residents with a history of recent travel to the province of Hubei, China and who become ill with cough and/or fever should report their travel history to a health professional, or emergency department staff, when they visit. Upon entering any health care facility put on a mask and clean your hands.
Renfrew County and District Health Unit (RCDHU) has been working together with health care agencies in Renfrew County and District to share information about this virus. Local hospitals have protocols in place for infection-control practices. RCDHU’s infectious diseases team has been in regular contact with hospitals and health care providers regarding measures to detect and test for the disease early and safely. Daily updates are being held internally to manage the situation and teleconferences with health care agencies will continue weekly.
The coronavirus in is a respiratory virus that causes symptoms ranging from a mild cold to pneumonia. “You have to be in close contact with a person who is sick with 2019 n-CoV virus for a significant length of time to risk being infected with the virus,” says Dr. Paula Stewart, Acting Medical Officer of Health.
Members of the public are advised to take the usual measures to reduce the risk of transmission of influenza and other respiratory illnesses, which include:
- clean your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
- cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze with a tissue, throw away the tissue and clean your hands;
- if you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve not your hands and then clean your hands;
- Frequently clean high touch surfaces (i.e., handles, doorknobs, arm rests, phones)
- if you are ill, stay home; and
- get an annual influenza vaccination.
For more information on 2019-nCoV visit RCDHU’s website at www.rcdhu.com.
