RI Health Department Takes Steps To Address Coronavirus

The Rhode Island Department of Health is continuing to "closely monitor" the international outbreak of coronavirus, as new cases are reported in both the U.S. and abroad. The department has created a system of guidelines for healthcare providers around the state.

At this time, there have not been any confirmed cases of the illness in Rhode Island. Because symptoms are similar to that of the flu, which is "widespread" in the state, the department has been following up on individual illness reports.

Nicole Alexander-Scott, the department's director of health, said the risk to people in the U.S. is currently low, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.

"It is also important for people to remember that someone’s risk is closely tied to their recent travel history, and the travel histories of their immediate contacts," she said. "Someone’s nationality alone is not a risk factor for coronavirus. RIDOH is taking these steps with healthcare providers throughout the state to ensure that we are ready to respond to this evolving situation. Preparedness and collaboration are core functions of public health."

The department has created a Novel Coronavirus Task Force, which is in charge of the department's preparedness campaign. Doctors across the state have been directed to evaulate patients for the illness if they have a fever, respiratory issues such as cough or trouble breathing and have traveled to Hubei Province in China, including Wuhan, within two weeks before they became ill or has been in contact with someone who may have the disease.

While person-to-person spread of the illness has been reported in China, this has not yet happened in the United States. At this time, just five cases have been confirmed in the U.S. Because the illness is spread through actions like coughing or sneezing, the department reminded Rhode Islanders to take the same measures that are encouraged during flu season. These include:

• Get a flu shot
• Frequently clean hands throughout the day with warm water and soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Get plenty of sleep, drink lots of water, exercise regularly and take other steps to keep yourself healthy
• Wipe down surfaces like bedside tables, bathrooms and toys vlean by wiping them down with disinfectant.