Guidance to the residents of Warren County regarding the Coronavirus

From the Warren County Office of Emergency Management:

As a community, it is important that we all continue to respond conservatively to the “novel coronavirus”. While we currently have no reported cases in Warren County, as the virus approaches the County, it is recommended that residents seriously consider the following:

Most patients with COVID-19 will have mild to moderate symptoms. However, in a small percentage of patients, COVID-19 can lead to more severe illness, including death, particularly among those who are older or those who have chronic medical conditions. Symptoms include fever (over 100° F in the last 14 days), cough, and shortness of breath. 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.

In order to reduce the spread of the virus in our community, if you think that you (or a family member) may have symptoms related to this illness, residents are urged to NOT show up unannounced at any local medical facility. If you experience the above symptoms, please call a Primary Care Physician to discuss your symptoms. You will be telephonically screened by a medical professional and provided advice over the phone. If you meet the Virginia Department of Health screening criteria and require COVID-19 testing, you will be directed to the appropriate local medical facility for treatment. If you have general questions regarding COVID-19, please call the Virginia Department of Health public information line at 1-877-ASK-VDH3 (1-877-275-8343). As always, if you are experiencing a true medical emergency, call 911 or report to the closest hospital’s emergency room for emergent treatment.

To lower the risk of respiratory germ spread, including COVID-19, the Virginia Department of Health encourages the following effective behaviors:

• Stay home when you are sick; avoid contact with sick people.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; use a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer only if soap and water are not available; regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.

This is a rapidly changing situation, and the most current information is available on the following websites: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus or www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/. Please consult www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus for the latest number of COVID-19 cases in Virginia.