Ryan Hanchett
editor@highlandsnews.com
Macon County has a plan of attack should the coronavirus appear in Western North Carolina.
Representatives from multiple agencies and health organizations sat down Monday, March 2 at the Macon County Public Health Department to discuss the local response should any potential cases of coronavirus are identified.
“One of the big things we need to do is limit the rumors and the misinformation that is going around,” Macon County Public Health Director Carmine Rocco said in his opening remarks. “We are in contact with health officials at the federal and state level every week, if not more often, and we are prepared with the most accurate and up-to-date information. Thus far, there have been zero cases of coronavirus in North Carolina and zero cases in Macon County.”
Rocco added that medical professionals, EMS staff, law enforcement officers and other public agency employees have been briefed on how to handle possible coronavirus cases should they come in contact with a potentially infected person.
The North Carolina Division of Public Health rolled out a Redcap monitoring and case tracking system on Tuesday to log any potential cases of coronavirus statewide.
“Coronavirus is in our country, and at some point it may very well be in our state, but we are prepared to work together and respond accordingly,” Rocco said. “It can be a scary thing, and what we do not want is anyone to overreact based on incorrect information that they may see on social media or other outlets. We want people to have accurate information via the Center for Disease Control.”
As of Tuesday, the CDC has confirmed 43 cases of coronavirus in the United States. There have been two confirmed deaths, 17 people hospitalized and 10 states reporting cases, according to the CDC.
The first confirmed cases of coronavirus were reported in Wuhan, China in January. As of March 1, there have been 78,959 confirmed cases of coronavirus in China according to the World Health Organization. There have been 4,351 cases across 49 other countries. Of the 83,310 confirmed cases, 2,858 (3.4 percent) have resulted in death, according to WHO statistics.
Prevention practices
MCPH Director of Nursing Jennifer Garrett offered some basic tips to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
She pointed out that wearing a surgical mask is not recommended for anyone who is otherwise healthy.
“The CDC is not recommending wearing a mask to the general public,” Garrett said. “What we do not want is for people to touch their face more than usual, because that is how viruses spread. What (the CDC) have found is people often adjust the mask and end up touching their eyes, nose and mouth more than usual.”
Garrett added that using a mask is recommended for anyone who is sick, as a means to keep from spreading whatever virus that person may have.
The tried-and-true practice of washing hands with soap and warm water, or hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol, is recommended. The CDC is also advising anyone who may be sick to stay home from work or school to keep from spreading his or her illness.
“Maintaining a respectful social distance is a good idea to avoid passing on any virus, so the CDC has recommended staying six feet apart in social settings,” Garrett said. “Also, covering your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing is important in stopping the spread of illnesses.”
Coronavirus is an “enveloped virus” meaning that is can be killed with common household cleaners. Rocco advised consumers to look at the labels on cleaning products, many of which will note if they kill coronavirus.
“Like other viruses we have seen in the past, including SARS, coronavirus is in the same family,” Rocco said. “If a cleaning product says that it kills coronavirus, or SARS, or MERS, it’s an effective product.”
Shutting down rumors
Macon County EMS Director Warren Cabe said that his agency has added potential coronavirus screening questions to the items that dispatchers ask callers. Those questions relate to symptoms, recent travel, and/or recent virus exposure possibilities.
He added that the swirl of rumors and misinformation has been rampant over the past several weeks since coronavirus began receiving global attention.
“We have heard a lot of things, and most of them are not true,” Cabe said. “We have seen no shortage of medical supplies or equipment. One rumor I saw said that an ambulance has to be taken out of rotation if it is used to transport a potential coronavirus patient, and that’s also untrue. We transport sick people every day, with any number of viruses, infections, etc. That’s our job.”
Cabe noted that previous viruses have followed a similar pattern as the current coronavirus outbreak and each time Macon County has responded appropriately.
“Whether we are talking about Ebola, SARS, bird flu, any of them, there has been some connection to our area at some point,” Cabe said. “Each time we have been able to get through it because we are willing and able to work with the local medical facilities, along with county, state and federal agencies.”
Cabe added that remaining calm and going about normal daily activities with added preventative measures is the best practice currently.
“The last thing we want is for the public to panic, because that is detrimental to all parties,” Cabe said. “Do what you would normally do – go to church, go to a ballgame, attend events if you choose to. Just be smart, avoid any unnecessary physical contact with others and make sure that you follow good hygiene practices. And if you do feel ill, stay home and don’t get anyone else sick.”