Protective measures against Coronavirus – Health and Wellness Nashville

*Updated on Friday 13 March. There are several reported cases of Coronavirus in Tennessee, with many of the metro public schools and colleges across the state announcing closures. According to The Tennessean:

The Tennessee Department of Health on Wednesday announced there were 9 presumptive cases of the coronavirus in Tennessee. The state has performed 68 tests so far in the state lab, with 61 negative results, according to data released Wednesday afternoon. Two positive results were tested at private labs, a signal that they are now starting to test for the virus.

The breakdown of where those cases are from:

Williamson County: 5

Davidson County: 2

Shelby County: 1

Sullivan County: 1

The rise of Coronavirus, which was first reported in Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019, has lead to a global conversation about how to reduce the number of people affected. The World Health Organization has issued a number measures to help reduce the spread of the disease even further:

Wash your hands frequently

Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

Maintain social distancing

Maintain at least a three feet distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain the virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

Practice respiratory hygiene

Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately. Droplets spread the virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early

Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority. National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent the spread of viruses and other infections.

If travelling, wear a mask

The WHO advises that if you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with a suspected infection. You also should wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing. They also explain that masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

For more information visit the World Health Organization’s website here.

Watch Gov. Lee’s press conference on the first confirmed case of Coronavirus here.