Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates & Resources

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates & Resources

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UPDATES

March 24, 2020
Frequently asked questions regarding Executive Order Fifty-three.

March 18, 2020
The City of Hopewell has proactively declared a local state of emergency, as a precautionary measure over the global outbreak of COVID-19, there are currently no individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the City of Hopewell. City Offices remain closed to the public, but employees are working normal operations.

While restrictions are being implemented, State and Federal officials weighted the potential impacts and benefits that these restrictions could have on communities, these decisions were made in the interest of public safety to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The City has set up a COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Hotline for citizens to call if they have questions about COVID-19 or City operations during COVID-19. The Hotline will operation Monday – Friday 8:30 am to 8:00 pm. beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020. The phone number is 541-2391. The Virginia Department of Health has also set up a call center to assist citizens with questions about COVID-19. The phone number is 1-877-275-8343. We are referring all medical related calls to the Virginia Department of Health call center.

The City has established a webpage (www.hopewellva.gov/COVID19meals) to encourage residents to safely patronize our local restaurants during the COVID-19 outbreak. The webpage contains a list of restaurants that will offer delivery, drive-thru, curbside or to-go services.

March 16, 2020
City of Hopewell officials are continuing to monitor and respond to the coronavirus outbreak. In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the city is enhancing its social distancing measures. The following actions are effective immediately, and will remain in effect at least through Sunday, March 29.

  • All city offices, facilities and buildings are closed to the public. This includes city hall, Treasurer’s Office, Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office, Voter Registrar’s Office, Office on Youth and Community Center.
  • City employees are to continue to report to work as usual; however, tele-work, per the City’s Policy is in effect.
  • Citizens can use the Treasurer’s drop box behind City Hall for payments.
  • All city sponsored events, programs, classes and activities scheduled during this time are canceled.
  • Appomattox Regional Library System (ARLS) is closed all of the their library locations until April 6, 2020 (pending Board approval).
  • Parks and playgrounds remain open at this time.
  • Department of Development building inspections will continue based on availability, but property maintenance inspections will only occur where there is an immediate life/safety issue.
  • The Department of Social Services will have limited access during this time, and clients should call 541-2330 for more information.
  • CVWMA trash and recycling collections will continue to take place as scheduled.

City officials will re-evaluate these actions based on the status of the outbreak and guidance from the Virginia Department of Health before reopening facilities to the public. During the closure, residents are encouraged to use online resources for services and payments available at www.hopewellva.gov

March 15, 2020
All City offices will be closed Monday, March 16, 2020 as a precaution for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The closure is designed to ensure the health and safety of residents, employees and the general public. All essential and designated personnel should report at their regularly scheduled time. Additional staff may be notified by their supervisors. Operations to ensure public safety and public health will not be effected.

March 14, 2020
In response to the growing concerns surrounding the potential spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the City of Hopewell has declared a local emergency. The City of Hopewell is constantly monitoring COVID-19, and taking appropriate actions as necessary to prepare for and respond to the incident, and to protect the public. Contrary to false reports being circulated on social media there are currently no COVID-19 positive patients in Hopewell or John Randolph Medical Center. The City continues to work closely with John Randolph and the Crater Health District to monitor for any COVID-19 cases that may show up in the City. It is still the recommendation of the CDC and VDH to protect yourself from any circulating viruses including the flu by doing the following:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer (At least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.)
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • To STOP spreading respiratory illness, cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Sneeze into your elbow.
  • Wipe down or spray frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaner.

March 10, 2020

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:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, if soap and water are not available.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Stay home if you feel sick.
  • If you have a fever, stay home until you are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.
  • Avoid close contact with other and seek medical treatment, if necessary.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Avoid non-essential travel.

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

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

BRIEFING NOTES (3/11/20)

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.

HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF FROM GETTING CORONAVIRUS (and FLU)?

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer (At least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.)
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • To STOP spreading respiratory illness, cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • It is FLU and respiratory disease season:
    • Get a FLU vaccine.
    • Stay home when you are sick.
    • Avoid contact with people who are sick.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
    • Sneeze into your elbow.
  • Wipe down or spray frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaner.
  • CDC ‘Does Not’ recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.

WHAT DO I DO IF I SUSPECT I AM SICK WITH CORONAVIRUS?

  • Call ahead to your doctor’s office if you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, AND have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 OR if you have recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread.
  • When diagnosed with COVID-19 or exhibiting symptoms, stay home until advised by your doctor that you are no longer contagious, to prevent the spread to coworkers, friends, etc.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

 

COVID-19 CASES in VIRGINIA

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