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Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, Ohio's most read digital Black newspaper and Black blog, both also at the top in Black digital news in the Midwest. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com |
CLEVELANDURBANNEWS.COM-Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Marcy Kaptur (pictured) (D-OH), a Toledo Democrat whose ninth congressional district extends to Cleveland and the longest serving woman in Congress, responded after Ohio Gov Mike DeWine announced that three Ohioans, all of them residents of Cuyahoga County, have tested positive for the new strain of coronavirus, COVID-19.
“As news develops, I am urging every person across Northern Ohio to stay calm and follow the instructions of the CDC [Centers for Disease Control]as well as state and local health departments,” said Rep. Kaptur.s “Emergency preparedness as our country faces this public health threat is of upmost importance."
Symptoms include a dry cough, fever and difficulty breathing.
The outbreak of the virus has plagued China where thousands are dead.
It has infected more than 108,000 people around the world coupled with some 3,800 deaths, more than 700 cases occurring in the U.S.
Cuyahoga County, Ohio is the state's second largest county behind Franklin County, and it includes Cleveland.
The congresswoman said that an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of panic.
"I urge everyone to take commonsense precautions to prevent further spread of infection: wash your hands, avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home when you are sick, and avoid touching your face," said Kaptur.
Last week, Congress passed and the president signed into law an $8.3 billion emergency funding package to address the COVID-19 outbreak.
The money will help local, state, and federal agencies improve surveillance for COVID-19, increase laboratory testing to detect positive cases, contact tracing to identify additional positive cases, and strengthen infection control at the local level, including public awareness campaigns, to prevent additional cases. A summary of the package is available here.
There are steps people at home can take to help minimize infection:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Wash your hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and warm water thoroughly
- Avoid large gatherings
- Avoid flying if you are elderly or a person with a severe chronic medical condition
- Stay at home as much as possible if you are an older adult or person with a severe chronic medical condition
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- 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
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a face-mask
- Tell your physician about your recent travels and symptoms if you feel sick and have traveled to areas where coronavirus has been confirmed or have come into contact with someone who has been exposed to the virus
*The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face-mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Face-masks should be used by people who show symptoms of coronavirus to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of face-masks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
For more information on COVID-19, including CDC’s travel notices, go to the CDC’s website
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Clevelandurbannews.com and Kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com, Ohio's most read digital Black newspaper and Black blog, both also at the top in Black digital news in the Midwest. Tel: (216) 659-0473. Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com |
