North Andover Update On New Coronavirus Safety

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — The North Andover Health department offered an update Monday on preventing the spread of the new coronavirus. Federal, state and local officials are closely monitoring the virus, which has infected more than 88,000 people worldwide, mostly in China. The risk of the new virus to Massachusetts residents remains low, public health officials say.

A Norfolk County woman in her 20s is presumed positive for the virus, also known as COVID-19, after testing positive at the State Public Health Laboratory, but the case has not yet been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control. There is only one confirmed case in the state, the North Andover announcement notes.

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. The strain that emerged in China in late 2019, now called COVID-19, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

The disease, which apparently originated in animals, is now transferring from person to person, although the mechanism is not yet fully understood. Its symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath, and many patients develop pneumonia. There is as yet no vaccine against COVID-19 it and no antiviral treatment.

The CDC has prepared a coronavirus fact sheet with basic information on the virus.

The North Andover Health Department shares the following information:

• To date Massachusetts has only 1 confirmed case of COVID-19.
• Additional individuals in Massachusetts are under “self-quarantine” and being monitored just in case they start to develop symptoms. These individuals do not reflect confirmed cases.
• Facemasks, or surgical masks, are not recommended for the general public. Only confirmed patients or patients under investigation for COVID-19 should wear facemasks to preven contaminating the surrounding area when they cough or sneeze. These masks do not provide protection from contracting COVID-19.
• Respirators, or N95 masks, are only effective if proper fit testing has been done and are only recommended for the Healthcare Personnel who are caring for confirmed patients or patients under investigation for COVID-19.

While the risk of COVID-19 is low, it is the peak of cold and flu season. The announcement encourages residents to take the same steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 that they would do to prevent cold and flu spread:

• "Being up to date on important immunizations like flu and pneumonia.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Cover your cough and sneeze with a tissue, throw your tissue in the trash, and clean your hands after.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects like door handles, counters etc.
• Stay home when feeling sick."

Other information is available at the following links:

2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Situation Summary
2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Case Count in the U.S.
CDC website - General Information
MDPH website - General Information
Regular status reports from the World Health Organization

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