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Edward-Elmhurst Health: What you should know about coronavirus…

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Above / Edward Hospital, located at  801 S. Washington St. in Naperville, first offered some education and advice about novel coronavirus as the new virus was making headlines on Jan. 22, 2020. Updates below also connect to info from WHO and CDC as well as the U.S. State Department websites and the Worldometer (up-to-date data, details and charts!). 

Take precautions. Wash your hands. Cover coughs and sneezes. Be a good example for young ones who might be watching. Help them feel safe. Eat nourishing food. Drink plenty of liquids. Stick to the facts. Use commonsense. Stay healthy. (Photo – Forbes)

Editor’s Note: The following posts are listed with the most recent dates first. Some of it’s repetitive. All of it, we hope, will help everyone stay informed, keep calm, remain focused on our important responsibilities, and use commonsense in the best interests of good health and safety for the community and beyond every day. —PN


Updated Post, March 18, 2020 / Search “COVID-19” on this website for other informative posts regarding updates in DuPage County, City of Naperville, schools, local businesses and more. We appreciate their trust in our posting their news. Thank you.

Worldwide, the Worldometer is up to date with easy-to-view data, details and charts. 

***Updated Post, March 14, 2020 / During this morning’s White House Coronavirus Task Force Briefing, Vice President Mike Pence said the next report is scheduled for 4PM Sun., March 15, at which time details will be released about participants in the drive-through testing locations. Also, international travel is now restricted from Ireland and the UK.

***Updated Posts, March 13, 2020 / U.S. declares National State of Emergency, citing plans for “Drive Through Experience” to test for Coronavirus. By the end of this weekend, in an historic public/private partnership presented by President Trump this afternoon, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and Target are expected to begin designating portions of their parking lots to help put the health of all America first via remote testing centers. Washington and the nation aim to slow spread of the outbreak with up to $50 billion available to allocate to states, territories and localities in a shared fight against this disease.  Visit www.coronavirus.gov for regular updates as these new testing sights are set up to help protect all Americans and defeat the spread of coronavirus.

COVID-19 Updates from School Districts serving Naperville / Classes canceled / Click here.

Dr. Aaron Weiner addresses managing anxiety that accompanies COVID-19 / Click here.

From Edward-Elmhurst Health / Effective March 13: Edward-Elmhurst Health Walk-in Clinics located in Jewel stores are closed until further notice. If you need medical care, please call your physician’s office.

  • Because the safety and protection of patients, staff, physicians and community is an absolute priority for Edward-Elmhurst Health, we have put the following visitor restrictions in place during the coronavirus outbreak.
    • Visitors 17 and under are not allowed on the inpatient units.
    • Only one visitor at a time is allowed to visit inpatients – with the exception of the Edward Hospital NICU and Pediatrics Unit, and the Elmhurst Hospital Special Care Nursery, where both parents can visit together.
    • To review visitor guidelines for Edward Hospital, Elmhurst Hospital and Linden Oaks Behavioral Health, visit https://www.eehealth.org/patients-visitors.
  • Edward-Elmhurst Health community education classes and events, and classes and events held by outside organizations at Edward-Elmhurst Health facilities are postponed until further notice.

***Updated Post, March 11, 2020 / City of Naperville Statement regarding St. Patrick’s Day Parade and 5K:

Out of an abundance of caution for the health of our community and to eliminate unnecessary risk for the public, the City of Naperville is canceling the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and 5K run scheduled for this Saturday, March 14. The City will work with the organizers to find a possible date to hold these events in the future.

Earlier today, March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization made the assessment that Coronavirus or COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic.

***Updated Post, March 10, 2020, from the City of Naperville, 5:45PM  / At this time, our local health departments have not recommended the cancellation of public gatherings in Naperville. As this is a rapidly evolving situation, however, we will continue to look to experts for guidance, make appropriate decisions for the safety of our community based on their recommendations and inform the public as soon as possible of any event or service impact.

***Updated Post, March 10, 2020, 5PM / White House Coronavirus Task Force Briefing: Vice President Mike Pence reported a “Whole of America” approach to protect American people where the risk remains low. He urges all individuals to be vigilant and to visit www.coronavirus.gov for regular updates.

U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams also eased anxieties during the White House briefing by calmly suggesting that everyone help. “Help live a healthy life,” Dr. Adams said. “Know your risks… Know your circumstances… Know what you can do to stay safe…”

Click here for simple references of ways to practice good habits at home, at school, in the workplace and when visiting commercial establishments. Use these commonsense practices and take precautions every day of the year.

***Updated Post, March 5, 2020 / Today at noon, the City of Naperville hosted a meeting with some 90 local leaders of schools, businesses, nonprofit organizations and social service agencies in attendance, to talk about community preparedness in the event of a coronavirus (COVID 19) outbreak. The 90-minute program introduced by Mayor Steve Chirico included presentations by officials representing the City of Naperville Emergency Management, DuPage County Health Department, Naperville Fire Department Paramedics and Edward Hospital.

Mayor Chirico urges residents to keep the news about COVID 19 in perspective; however, mindful that at this time there is no vaccine and viruses know no boundaries. The mayor also cautioned to beware of false information and phone scams targeted at the elderly.

Public health officials reminded folks in attendance that “a big data set” (not yet available) is necessary to understand what’s going on with this new virus that’s creating concern due to no immunity, no treatment and no vaccine available. The timetable to develop and test a vaccine could be 12 to 18 months.

Our biggest takeaways from the educational presentation were to be prepared, take universal precautions, make rational and responsible decisions, and to pull together to talk about the facts.

James Kubinski, Bureau Chief – E.M.S., shared his several decades of experience as a Naperville firefighter/paramedic, reassuring attendees that health and safety practices concerning infectious diseases were not new to his department. Every ambulance is cleaned and disinfected every day, Kubinski said, a routine practice that’s been followed for 40 years that keeps residents and first responders safe.

ALERT! Also, anyone with symptoms is urged to call his/her physician to be advised of next steps. Do NOT simply show up at a doctor’s office, emergency care center or hospital emergency room. Anyone without a physician is asked to call 911.

Information released on March 2, 2020, (See below.) from the DuPage County Health Department was included in a packet available at today’s presentation.

***Updated Post, March 2, 2020 / The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) wants residents to know preventive steps are being taken at the local, state and federal levels to limit the spread of novel Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19. DCHD is closely monitoring the fast-changing outbreak of COVID-19 and is in regular communication with and following guidance provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). DCHD Communicable Disease and Epidemiology staff routinely monitor and investigate disease transmission and response and continues to do so with this new virus.

According to a news release, the best measures to take right now are known as “nonpharmaceutical interventions,” or NPIs. These are public health actions that are proven to slow the spread of emerging respiratory diseases like COVID-19. NPIs are everyday preventive measures that individuals and families should follow, including:

  • Voluntary Home Isolation: Stay home when you are sick with fever and respiratory disease (runny nose, sneezing, chest congestion, coughing or shortness of breath) symptoms. Employees must be fever free (without the use of fever reducing medicine) for at least 24 hours before returning to work. At the present time, these symptoms are more likely due to influenza or other respiratory viruses than to COVID-19-related virus. Seek medical attention as needed.
  • Respiratory Etiquette: Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash can.
  • Hand Hygiene: Wash 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 readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60 percent to 95 percent alcohol.
  • Environmental Health Action: Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces and objects.

For more COVID-19 information, including fact sheets and links to resources from IDPH and CDC, visit DCHD’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Information page, which is updated as information is available from local, state and federal partners.

***Updated Post, March 1, 2020 / A scroll down the Worldometer reveals the report of one person in Chicago who has been diagnosed with Coronavirus. Continue to follow all the advice and take precautions listed and linked above and below.

Note: “Community spread,” according to the Center for Disease Control, refers to the “spread of an illness for which the source of infection is unknown.” Community spread is being used interchangeably with “unknown origin” to describe how some individuals are coming down with Coronavirus.

***Updated Post, Feb. 27, 2020 / Superintendents from both public school districts serving Naperville and just beyond sent the following information:

With the news coverage of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, or COVID-19, we want to assure you the district is monitoring the situation closely and is in daily communication with our local health department to provide for the safety of our students and staff.

There are no reported cases of COVID-19 in our schools. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) stated currently, the health risk to the general public from COVID-19 remains low, both in the U.S. and in Illinois.

Agencies are focused on prevention, and District 204 is following the guidance and expectations established by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and IDPH. Our health services staff are aware of symptoms associated with the virus and are carefully monitoring the health of our students. Our custodial staff will continue to be diligent with all our cleaning practices in our schools. This includes daily sanitization of high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, faucets, etc. Staff members will be promoting universal precautions among students, including frequent hand washing.

According to the IDPH, as with any respiratory virus, students and school personnel can protect themselves and others by taking everyday common-sense actions.

The IDPH recommends the following:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick and contact your healthcare provider for a plan of care.
  • 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.

The IDPH does NOT recommend:

  • The use of masks or gloves.
  • Cancelling mass gatherings.
  • Cancelling classes.

Colds and respiratory viruses are common during this time of year. Please take a moment to remind your child to practice good hygiene, including hand washing and respiratory etiquette. To prevent the spread of illness, the Health Department recommends that your child stay home from school if experiencing flu-like symptoms (such as fever, cough, and sore throat). If your child is running a fever of 100 degrees or greater, please keep your child home until they are fever-free for 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications. If your child is experiencing vomiting or diarrhea, please keep your child at home until these concerns have been resolved for 24 hours, and your child is tolerating food without the use of medication to stop the symptoms.

For medical questions or concerns, contact your physician.

***Updated Post, Feb. 26, 2020 / Today Vice President Mike Pence was appointed in charge of the coronavirus response and messaging from health officials for the health, safety and well being of all Americans. The World Health Organization, WHO, provided its weekly briefing about the status of the spread of coronavirus that has slowed down in China. Several links to the most concise and recent data are featured in the updates below, including the Worldometer, now reporting more than 81,000 cases. Take a moment to visit WHO where it’s explained that this virus has pandemic potential and how WHO is providing the tools for every country to prepare accordingly. Be safe and remember to take precautions and protect yourself from colds and flu with proper hygiene every day.

***Updated Post, Feb. 23, 2020 / During these weeks when it’s tough to avoid news about the spread of coronavirus, readers likely know that some new pronouncements are that the disease may have a longer incubation period than 14-days. Furthermore, a number of the reported cases (now approaching 79,000 that can be followed on the Worldometer with a click here) appear to have no relative link back to Hubei in China. Many health officials remain concerned about the risk of a global pandemic.

Also this weekend, the U.S. State Department raised its travel advisory to Level 2 on its four-level scale or “Exercise Increased Caution” for folks intending to visit Japan and South Korea. It’s suggested that older travelers and individuals with “chronic medical conditions might want to consider delaying unnecessary travel.”

Since Feb. 2, 2020, the U.S. State Department has advised: “Do not travel to China due to the novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China. On January 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) determined the rapidly spreading outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Travelers should be prepared for the possibility of travel restrictions with little or no advance notice. Most commercial air carriers have reduced or suspended routes to and from China.”

Protect yourself from all colds and flu every season

Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water (for at least 20 seconds) and use alcohol-based hand rub. Perhaps put hugs on hold in group settings until flu season is deemed over for 2020. 

Also…

  • Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth if your hands have not been washed.
  • Avoid close contact with sick people.
  • Frequently clean surfaces.
  • Cover your cough/sneeze.
  • Wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms.

Advise youngsters. Stay healthy.

Illinois / DuPage County offer advice & guidelines for school population

Updated Post, Feb. 7, 2020 / As news headlines report more than 30,000 cases of coronavirus, the Illinois Department of Public Health recently issued new guidelines regarding the health emergency for K-12 schools that are featured here.  

For additional questions and concerns, contact the DuPage County Health Department so specific situations may be evaluated on an individual basis.  Call the DuPage County Health Department at (630) 221-7553 (8AM – 4:30PM) or at (630) 682-7400 after hours.

Beware of false information online / Consult CDC / Consult WHO

To keep up with current information from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) about novel coronavirus, visit www.cdc.gov and www.dph.illinois.

FYI, the Illinois Novel Coronavirus Hotline and email address were created to provide consistent information, answer questions, share facts about symptoms, and provide up-to-date information from the CDC.

To have questions answered 24-7, Illinoisans can dial 1-800-889-3931 around the clock or email DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV.

For more info about the history of the coronavirus, visit World Health Organization.

***Updated Post, Jan. 30, 2020 / As published in the New York Times, The World Health Organization declared a global health emergency on Thurs., Jan. 30, 2020, as the coronavirus outbreak spread well beyond China, where it emerged last month and where the vast majority of cases have been identified.

The move reversed the organization’s decision just a week ago to hold off such a declaration. Since then, there have been thousands of new cases in China and clear evidence of human-to-human transmission in several other countries, including the United States.

***Updated Post, Jan. 24, 2020 / According to a report in the Washington Post, “the CDC has deployed a team to Chicago to help state and local officials after a woman was diagnosed with coronavirus there.” The woman in her 60s in the Chicago area had traveled to Wuhan. The virus, which originated in China, has infected two individuals in the U.S. 

Officials said they expect to see additional cases of the coronavirus. Although the outbreak is a “very serious public health threat, the immediate risk to the U.S. public is low at this time,” said Nancy Messonnier, director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

Note also that most of the 41 individuals who died in China were older people with a history of serious illnesses.

Editor’s Note: Health officials want to remind Americans that during the 2019-2020 flu season, 8,200 people have died and 140,000 people have been hospitalized, according to preliminary estimates from the CDC. Protect yourself from the flu. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and hot water.

Perhaps put hugs on hold in group settings until flu season is over. Stay healthy.

***Original Post, Jan. 22, 2020 /Most people have been infected with a coronavirus at some point in their lives. Human coronaviruses usually cause the common cold, including symptoms like a runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat and fever.

There are coronaviruses that infect animals, too. Sometimes, although rarely, an animal coronavirus evolves to infect humans. That appears to be the case with a new virus that has been making the news: 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

As of Jan. 21, 2020, the United States had one confirmed case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus, an individual who had flown from Wuhan, China, to the State of Washington.

Health officials are on high alert and screening people who have flown from Wuhan to the United States at several major U.S. airports.

What is coronavirus?

There are four different human coronaviruses that commonly infect people. Those are the viruses that cause routine cold symptoms. There are also coronaviruses that are common in animals, such as bats and camels.

In the rare instance that an animal coronavirus evolves to be able to infect a human, the virus can cause more severe symptoms. Experts believe that’s what happened with the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, which is causing infection in China. This virus is believed to have been transmitted from an animal in a seafood market in Wuhan City, China, to a human, likely when a person ate something infected with the virus.

Other strains of coronavirus that have spread from an animal to a human include Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), which was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which was first reported in Asia in 2003.

Both MERS and SARS cause severe illness, including fever, headache, body aches, coughing and diarrhea. While outbreaks of those viruses were widespread around the world, neither virus was widely spread in the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only two people in the U.S. have ever tested positive for MERS, in May 2014. In 2003, eight people in the United States had laboratory evidence of a SARS infection. They had all traveled to places in the world where SARS had been spreading.

How does the 2019 Novel Coronavirus spread?

Human coronaviruses spread from person to person through the air, when an infected person coughs or sneezes; by close personal contact such as shaking hands; or by touching a contaminated surface or object then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.

MERS and SARS also spread when people are in contact with an infected person’s respiratory droplets or secretions, such as when the sick person coughs or sneezes, or by touching contaminated surfaces then touching their faces.

Authorities are working to determine how easily 2019 Novel Coronavirus spreads between people. As of Jan. 22, the CDC reports 400 people in China have been confirmed through lab testing to have the virus. Nine people have died from the illness.

The deaths and more severe symptoms of this new coronavirus were among older people with chronic disease, health officials report.

The CDC reports that, while it considers 2019 Novel Coronavirus a serious public health concern, based on current information, the general American public runs a low risk of contracting the virus.

Health officials are most concerned about people who have symptoms of the virus AND have either traveled from Wuhan, China, or been in close contact with someone who was ill and under investigation to have 2019 Novel Coronavirus or has been lab-confirmed to have 2019 Novel Coronavirus within the last 14 days.

What happens if you get the 2019 Novel Coronavirus?

Health officials say this new strain of coronavirus is causing severe symptoms but may be less severe than MERS and SARS.

Symptoms that have been reported…

  • Fever
  • Coughing
  • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
  • Chills
  • Body aches
  • Sore throat
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Runny nose

How can you avoid catching coronavirus?      

While experts are still working to determine how 2019 Novel Coronavirus spreads from person to person, it would be wise to take precautions:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth if your hands have not been washed.
  • Avoid close contact with sick people.
  • Frequently clean surfaces.
  • Cover your cough/sneeze.
  • Wear a mask if you have respiratory symptoms.

For the latest information, visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Submitted by Keith Hartenberger, System Director, Public Relations, Edward-Elmhurst Health.

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PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

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