Novel coronavirus update from the Durham Region Health Department

According to the Durham Region Health Department as of February 5, 2020, The World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency of international concern regarding novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).  To date, no cases of novel coronavirus have been reported in Durham Region.  The Health Department continues to monitor the situation closely.

RISK TO DURHAM REGION RESIDENTS

The Public Health Agency of Canada has assessed the public health risk associated with the novel coronavirus as low for Canada and for Canadian travellers.  The public health risk is continually reassessed as new information becomes available.

The Health Department is working closely with local, provincial and federal health partners to closely monitor the situation.

HOW IS IT SPREAD?

The novel coronavirus can be spread from person to person through:

• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands.

• Contact with nose and throat secretions (e.g., coughing and sneezing).

• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands.

HOW TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES AND CLIENTS

To reduce the spread of germs, including the novel coronavirus and the flu, LRCSS will be continuing with the following practices:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer when hands are not visibly dirty.

• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow and encourage others to do the same.

• Avoid touching your face and clean hands before touching eyes, nose or mouth.

• Clean and disinfect surfaces and toys daily, especially those that are high-touch areas.

• No sharing of water bottles, straws, eating utensils.

• If you are ill, stay home and keep yourself away from others.

As always, children should be kept home from school or treatment if:

• They have a higher than normal temperature.

• Are you throwing up or do you have diarrhea?

• Their eyes are pink and crusty.

• They have a cough that keeps them awake.

• They have a sore throat.

Durham Region Health Department is working closely with our local school boards to make sure all information is shared in a timely manner and that routine prevention practices (e.g., cleaning/disinfecting, handwashing, staying home when ill, etc.) are being used in the school environment.

Read Durham Region’s update here at https://www.durham.ca/en/health-and-wellness/

For more information, please contact Durham Region Health Department 905-668-2020 or durham.ca.