Andover Health Division Offers Coronavirus Prevention Tips

ANDOVER, MA — Andover officials offered tips Wednesday evening on preventing exposure to the new coronavirus. There has been one confirmed case of the new virus in the state, and over 28,000 globally, mostly in China. The one case in Massachusetts is a man returning from Wuhan, China, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

According to the release, by Andover Director of Public Health Thomas Carbone and Town Manager Andrew Flanagan, the risk of the new coronvairus remains low and the flu is a far greater concern.

"According to the [Department of Public Health] and Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences, between 20-25,000 people in Massachusetts visited the emergency room for flu symptoms between Sept. 20, 2019 and Jan. 25," the announcement reads.

The new virus is a member of the coronavirus family that’s a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past.

“We want residents to know that the risk of contracting the 2019 novel coronavirus is low, and the virus is not currently spreading among the public in the United States,” Carbone said in a statement. “We are in the thick of flu season, however, and we want to remind everyone to wash their hands, cover any coughs or sneezes, avoid contact with those who are sick and to stay home when sick yourself.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. has seen in travelers have been detected in the U.S., and in person-to-person spread among close contacts of returned travelers from Wuhan, but "the virus is nSyot currently spreading in the community in the United States," the announcement continues.

Symptoms include: include fever and respiratory illness, such as coughing and difficulty breathing. Symptoms of the virus are similar to those of seasonal flu.

"Out of an abundance of caution, the Andover Health Division wishes to provide residents with recommended actions from the CDC to take to protect themselves and others from the illness:

• Wash hands frequently, with soap and water, for a minimum of 20 seconds.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizing gels and liquids if soap and water are not readily available.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Try to avoid close contact with anyone who is sick.
• When sick yourself, stay home to protect others.
• Always cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, and then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect areas and objects that are touched frequently, such as desks, phones, door handles, etc."

The state Department of Public Health also advises anyone who has been in China within the last two weeks to monitor their health for symptoms, and to contact their healthcare provider if they develop any.

"Before going to a medical appointment, anyone who believes they might have the virus is asked to first tell their healthcare provider about their possible exposure to the 2019 novel coronavirus," the announcement concludes.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.