Liberty, NY – Sullivan County Public Health Services today debuted a webpage on the County website, www.sullivanny.us/departments/publichealth/coronavirus, exclusively about COVID-19, commonly known as 2019 Novel Coronavirus.
County staff, led by the County’s Incident Command System (ICS) team, are actively monitoring and preparing for this strain of coronavirus. While highly contagious, the virus is lethal in less than 3% of cases, often resulting in mild to moderate flu-like symptoms, so Public Health Services is urging residents to become informed and prepared for the impacts of this illness, rather than simply worry about the ongoing headlines regarding coronavirus.
“COVID-19 has not yet been found in Sullivan County, but as of March 6, it’s as close as Rockland County,” Sullivan County Public Health Director Nancy McGraw related. “Sullivan County leaders, including myself, are taking this very seriously and are daily engaged in planning for its imminent arrival.”
“This new webpage is designed to show what we, the State and the Federal authorities are doing in response, and to arm viewers with facts instead of fear,” she added. “We are ready to take immediate action with any coronavirus cases that manifest in Sullivan County. In the meantime, residents should stay calm and take everyday precautions such as washing your hands, staying home if sick, covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and getting a flu shot (it’s not too late to get one).”
What to Look For
The 2019 novel coronavirus may cause mild to severe respiratory symptoms like:
- cough
- fever
- trouble breathing and
- pneumonia
The 2019 Novel Coronavirus shouldn’t be confused with other coronaviruses that have been around for many years, which themselves cause upper respiratory symptoms, like the common cold.
What to Do
For those who are experiencing symptoms and may have traveled to areas of concern within the last 14 days (particularly China, Italy, South Korea and Japan) or who have been in contact with somebody who has traveled to these areas or to other countries that are experiencing an increase in the number of cases, you should:
- Seek medical care right away. Call ahead before going, and tell them about your travel and symptoms.
- Avoid contact with others. Stay home, except to seek medical care.
- Avoid further travel until the illness resolves.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If that’s unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
It is currently flu season, and it’s not too late to get vaccinated. Call Sullivan County Public Health Services for an appointment at 845-292-5910 x 0, or contact your healthcare provider or area pharmacy.
There is a general Information line for the public who have questions about Novel Coronavirus: 1-888-364-3065.
Additional information and resources are available here:
- New York State Health Department: www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/
- Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/