As coronavirus outbreak widens, Whatcom public health says to prepare for its spread
As the new coronavirus continues to spread rapidly — upsetting global markets and spreading fear and unease among people — the Whatcom County Health Department is posting information on what residents can do to prepare and what to expect as the outbreak evolves.
Earlier this week, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it expects the respiratory illness to spread in the U.S. and told communities to prepare.
Has anyone in Whatcom County been diagnosed with the illness?
No. And, so far, just one case has been confirmed in Washington state. That was in January when a Snohomish County man tested positive, becoming the first person in the U.S. to be diagnosed with what also is known as COVID-19.
Whatcom County public health officials are telling residents that their risk of being exposed to coronavirus here remains low.
“Even though we’re hearing a lot about this outbreak across the globe, there is still no evidence that the disease is currently spreading in our local community,” the health department said Thursday, Feb. 27, on its website.
But it expects the number of people sickened by the novel coronavirus to increase in the U.S.
When that might happen and how bad an outbreak might be in Whatcom County, public health officials said they can’t predict.
As of Thursday, 60 people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with the disease — 42 of them were passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
Globally, 82,550 people have been diagnosed so far, with most of them in the disease’s epicenter in China.
Whatcom County officials also are telling residents to prepare now.
What should we expect?
Depending on the severity of the outbreak, public health officials could recommend what are known as “social distancing” measures, restricting when and where people gather to decrease illness and slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Possibilities could include:
▪ Temporarily closing schools and childcare facilities.
▪ Closing non-essential workplaces, or asking people to work from home.
▪ Limiting or closing places where the community gathers.
▪ Canceling public events.
What should I do now?
If the coronavirus becomes a pandemic, it could last for months and social distancing would disrupt daily lives, according to the Whatcom County Health Department.
This is what residents should do now.
▪ Figure out how to care for your kids if schools or child care facilities are closed.
▪ Talk to your employer about sick leave policies and being able to work remotely.
▪ Talk to your neighbors about how you can help each other, either by taking turns with child care or dropping off groceries on doorsteps. Plan for ways to help people who are at greater risk for illness, such as people over 65 and those with chronic health conditions.
What can I do to protect myself and my family?
Take the same steps that you would to keep yourself from getting a cold or the flu.
▪ Wash your hands with soap and warm water and do so frequently.
▪ Don’t touch your eyes and mouth, because the virus can enter your body that way.
▪ Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash. Then wash your hands.
▪ If you’re sick, stay home to prevent infecting other people. If you’re not ill, stay away from people who are.
Where can I get more information?
▪whatcomcounty.us/360/Health-Department
▪doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus
▪ cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
▪ Johns Hopkins University global map of coronavirus cases at https://bit.ly/37CgQfT
This story was originally published February 27, 2020 at 2:00 PM.
