East Providence Leaders Outline City's Coronavirus Plan

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI —City political, school and emergency services leaders met Sunday to discuss a plan for East Providence to respond to the first cases of coronavirus found in the state on Sunday. East Providence Major Bob DaSilva's office said the city has been in communication with the RI Department of Heath and Gov. Gina Raimondo's office to make sure the city in adhering to all guidelines on communication and action necessary.

Mayor DaSilva, Superintendent Kathryn Crowley, Council President Robert Britto, Council Vice President Bob Rodericks, School Committee Chair Charles Tsonas, Dir. of Administration Napoleon Gonsalves, East Providence Fire Chief/EMA Dir. Glenn Quick, East Providence Fire Battalion Chief Michael Carey, Capt. John Potvin, East Providence Police Capt. James Nelson and Dir. of School Facilities and Security Tony Feola met on Sunday.

The list of actions taken in conjunction with the summit include:

· Continued sanitation and cleaning of all East Providence schools

· Daily sanitation of all East Providence school buses

· Frequent hand washing

· Use of hand sanitizer between hand washing

· Cleaning of desks and other hard surfaces

· Reminding students to cough and sneeze in elbow

· Proper disposal of tissues

· Reminders to not share personal items, food and drinks

Because human coronaviruses most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, Rhode Island residents are reminded to take the same measures that healthcare providers recommend annually to prevent the spread of the flu and other viruses.

The RI Health Department of Health advises the following:

· Get your flu shot, and make sure the people around you do the same.

· Wash your hands often throughout the day. Use warm water and soap. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand gel.

· Cough or sneeze into your elbow. Flu is spread through coughing or sneezing on other people or into your hands.

· Cover your coughs and sneezes to prevent others from getting sick. - Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.

· Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.

· Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant.
The Center for Disease Control & Prevention advises the following:

· The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.

· You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it.

· A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected.

Residents who are ill with flu-like symptoms (coughing, sneezing, fever, muscle or body aches) are urged to stay home. Those who have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19, and who have symptoms of the disease (fever, cough, shortness of breath), should reach out to your healthcare provider and call ahead before going to a healthcare facility. The healthcare provider or facility will work closely with RIDOH.