TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — School officials, Tallahassee-area hospitals and the Florida Department of Health in Leon County are working together "to combat the spread of COVID-19."
The leaders of these city and county groups want to provide information to the public to keep calm, stay informed, and to take appropriate precautionary steps. There are no reported cases in Tallahassee or Leon County.
Before there were reported cases of the virus in Florida, representative leaders of the City of Tallahassee, Leon County Government, Leon County Schools, FSU, FAMU, TCC, Capital Health Plan, Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, Capital Regional Medical Center, the Florida Department of Health in Leon County, and the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, gathered on Feb. 27 to discuss the coronavirus threat.
Now, the groups want to provide information to the public to keep calm, stay informed, and to take appropriate precautionary steps.
“The Governor said last week that the State of Florida is ready, and we want everyone to know that the Tallahassee community is also prepared,” said Mayor John Dailey. “We are actively monitoring the situation and are united in how we intend to prepare and protect the public – and to effectively meet this challenge with every necessary and appropriate resource.”
The CDC recommends that individuals and families follow everyday preventive measures including:
● 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.
● Sanitizers: If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60%-95% alcohol.
● Voluntary Home Isolation: Stay home when you are sick with respiratory disease symptoms. At the present time, these symptoms are more likely due to influenza or other respiratory viruses than to the COVID-19-related virus, but the symptoms can be similar.
● Respiratory Etiquette: Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then be sure to throw it in the trash can.
● Environmental Health Action: Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces and objects.
● Flu Shots: Health experts recommend getting a flu shot to reduce the chances of getting the regular flu and weakening your immune system further.
"As with H1N1 swine flu, Ebola, and the Zika virus, County Emergency Management will coordinate with the Florida Department of Health to engage our many local and state agencies in preparedness and response," said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. "As with past natural disasters, we stand ready to convene our area's health experts to combat the spread of COVID-19."
Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna emphasizes that students who are sick should be kept home regardless if you believe coronavirus may be at fault or not.
“We have a separate plan in place to communicate with students, their families, and our staff,” said Hanna. “If your child isn’t feeling well, the best policy is to have them stay home until they’re better, for their sake and that of others.”
To keep up to date on the latest news and information on the coronavirus from the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO), visit:
● FDOH COVID-19 Information [linkprotect.cudasvc.com]
● CDC General Information [cdc.gov]
● CDC Resources [cdc.gov]
● CDC Community Mitigation Guidance for Coronavirus [cdc.gov]
● WHO General Information [who.int]
● WHO Video
● Water Quality & Health Council FAQ [linkprotect.cudasvc.com]
