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The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has confirmed cases of coronavirus in Virginia. City of Hopewell officials are closely monitoring the latest conditions and developing plans to address the evolving situation with Novel Coronavirus COVID-19. The City is working with the Crater Health District and our state and regional partners to protect our citizens and share the most current information. The Crater Health District is the lead agency on COVID-19 and is working with and following guidance from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Health experts indicate that people of all ages are susceptible, and that in most cases it causes a mild illness, though it can be severe. According to the CDC, the most at-risk population still seems to be older adults and those with underlying health conditions.

The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 can cause mild to more severe respiratory illness. In a small proportion of patients, COVID-19 can cause death, particularly among those who are older or who have chronic medical conditions. Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Symptoms appear within 14 days of being exposed to an infectious person. COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

The VDH is recommending simple steps that can be taken to slow the spread of the virus:

o   Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

o   Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if soap and water are not available.

o   Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

o   Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

o   Stay home if you feel sick.

o   If you have a fever, stay home until you are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

o   Avoid close contact with other and seek medical treatment, if necessary.

o   Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

o   Avoid non-essential travel.

This is a rapidly changing situation, and information is being shared as it becomes available on the following websites:

• Virginia Department of Health – COVID-19 website is updated by 11:00 am each day
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – COVID-19

Here are some additional links to websites with information related to COVID-19:

• CDC – Facts About VOVID-19
• CDC – Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Communities
• CDC – What You Need to Know – Factsheet [English   Spanish ]
• CDC – What to do if you are sick – Factsheet [English   Spanish ]
• Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) website
• Anthem Coronavirus COVID-19 FAQ website
• Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases Interactive Map by Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering
• List of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fighting Products by the American Chemistry Council’s Center for Biocide Chemistries (CBC).
• Crater Region Unemployment Insurance Information

WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS?

• The novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus strain that has not been previously found in people, also referred to as COVID 19.
• Coronaviruses typically cause respiratory illness in people similar to the FLU (influenza).
• The severity of illness ranges widely from mild to moderate (e.g., common cold) to severe. Symptoms include:
  FEVER, COUGH, AND SHORTNESS OF BREATH.

HOW DOES CORONAVIRUS SPREAD?

• Spread is caused by an infected person, through coughing, sneezing, and/or close personal contact: shaking hands with an infected person, touching an object or surface with the virus on it and then touching your mouth or eyes before washing your hands.
• At this time, the immediate health risk from COVID 19 in Virginia is LOW.
• FLU (influenza) in Virginia is HIGH and in other parts of the country and world.
• THE RISK OF FLU IS GREATER TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC THAN COVID 19.

COVID-19 CASES in VIRGINIA