Fort Worth Issues Update About The Coronavirus

From the City of Fort Worth:

February 28, 2020

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is closely monitoring the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus causes a respiratory illness with fever and cough, may lead to severe pneumonia and is similar to the SARS and MERS coronaviruses. The SARS outbreak of 2003 sickened more than 8,000, and about 800 people died.

Coronaviruses are part of a large family of viruses, which can sometimes cause lower-respiratory tract illnesses, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.

Symptoms are similar to the flu and include runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, fever and a general feeling of being unwell. This is more common in people with cardiopulmonary disease or a weakened immune system.

There are no reported cases of the disease in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. There are only six known cases in Texas — all travelers from abroad brought under quarantine at Lackland Air Force Base.

View a video that answers more questions about coronavirus.

How to prevent COVID-19

Although there is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, the best way to prevent infection is to take these precautions:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Tarrant County Public Health’s Emergency Preparedness staff is working closely with the CDC and Texas Department of State Health Services to get the latest updates on this evolving situation. Staff members are also updating response plans as needed and have sent health alerts to the Tarrant County medical community and other partners.

Tarrant County Public Health is working with local hospitals to advise if patients meet CDC recommendations for testing. If a confirmation of a case of novel coronavirus is registered, further communication will be provided to the public and media.

View a fact sheet:

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This press release was produced by the City of Fort Worth. The views expressed here are the author’s own.