Covid-19 Press Release

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Published on Thursday, 12 March 2020 23:19

ANDREW COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT MONITOR COVID-19 SITUATION

The Andrew County Health Department is working with local, state and federal officials to monitor the evolution of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States and particularly in our region of the country. Currently, Missouri has only one confirmed COVID-19 case, in St. Louis and there are currently no cases in Andrew County.  There are currently a number is cases in neighboring states including Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa.

As local organizations and businesses review response plans given the possibility of an outbreak and its impact, the health department is encouraging all families to know what to do to avoid becoming ill, what to do it you become ill, and how best to prepare your household for potential disruptions to your home.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• 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 facemask:
• CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
• Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks 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).
• Wash your 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 at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

For information about handwashing, see CDC’s Handwashing website https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/

These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses.

CDC does have specific guidance for travelers at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/novel-coronavirus-china.

If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you may be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community:

• Stay home except to get medical care.
• Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home.
• Call ahead before visiting your doctor.
• Wear a facemask when around others.
• Clean hands often.
• Avoid sharing personal household items such as cups, utensils, towels, etc.
• Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day.
• Monitor symptoms
• Keep your medical providers informed.

Patients with confirmed COVID-19 should remain under home isolation precautions until the risk of secondary transmission to others is thought to be low, which will be determined case-by-case and follow the recommendations of your primary care provider and public health officials.

For up to date information please follow the Andrew County Health Department on Facebook at (https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Government-Organization/Andrew-County-Health-Department-347607032053194/).

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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3 Life-saving Steps

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Published on Wednesday, 04 March 2020 22:02

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission – News Release                                                                          

Release Date: March 4, 2020

Release Number: 20-084

Spring into Action by Adding Safety to Daylight Saving Time

3 life-saving steps you and your family should take

https://cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2020/Spring-into-Action-by-Adding-Safety-to-Daylight-Saving-Time

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On Sunday, March 8, consumers will turn their clocks forward one hour for Daylight Saving Time.  People may lose one hour of sleep, but they will gain daylight for activities.  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants you to spring into action by adding safety to your daylight saving time changeover.

“The change in time is a perfect opportunity to check and change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Bob Adler.  “And with the extra daylight, practice a fire escape plan.”

The 3 life-saving steps you and your family can take, CPSC explained:

1. Check smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms:  Check your alarms monthly.  If you do not have smoke and CO alarms, now is the time to buy them for your home and install them.  A smoke alarm should be on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas.  CO alarms should also be placed on every level of your home, and outside sleeping areas.
2. Change the batteries: Batteries should be replaced in alarms, unless the alarms have sealed 10-year batteries.  Replace your smoke alarms if they are more than 10 years old.
3. Practice a fire escape plan: Make sure there are two ways out from each room and a clear path to outside from each exit.  Once out, stay out.

CPSC estimates that in 2016, there were about 352,000 residential structure fires, resulting in about 2,400 deaths, 10,400 injuries, and $6.36 billion in property damage.  

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2018, a home fire occurs at the rate of one every 87 seconds.  From 2012 to 2016, the NFPA estimated that almost three out of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no working smoke alarms.

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate more than 400 people die in the United States every year from CO poisoning.

Do more than just change your clocks, take the time for safety.

Daylight Savings Time video: https://youtu.be/oWXu-mrlCGo

For more information, visit CPSC.gov.

About U.S. CPSC: 

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction.  Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical or mechanical hazard. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals – contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 40 years.

Federal law bars any person from selling products subject to a publicly-announced voluntary recall by a manufacturer or a mandatory recall ordered by the Commission.

For more lifesaving information, follow us on Facebook, Instagram @USCPSC and Twitter @USCPSC or sign up to receive our e-mail alerts. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772 or teletypewriter at 301-595-7054 for the hearing impaired.

CPSC Consumer Information Hotline

Contact us at this toll-free number if you have questions about a recall:

800-638-2772 (TTY 301-595-7054)

Times: 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. ET; Messages can be left anytime

Call to get product safety and other agency information and to report unsafe products.

Media Contact

Please use the phone numbers below for all media requests.

Phone: 301-504-7908

Spanish: 301-504-7800

March is National Nutrition Month

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Published on Sunday, 01 March 2020 21:47

The Andrew County Health Department would like to encourage you to eat healthy by offering these 5 tips to kick bad eating habits to the curb.

1 - Eat Breakfast

The key to a good breakfast is balance. Include lean protein, whole grains and fresh, frozen or canned fruits and vegetables. For example, oatmeal cooked with low-fat milk and sliced almonds and berries or crust-less quiche with mixed veggies, low-fat cheese and a slice of whole-wheat toast.

2 - Cut Back on Caffeine

Too much caffeine can interfere with sleep, can make you jittery and can cause you to lose energy later in the day. Skip unwanted calories and sugar by drinking it as plain as possible.

3 - Bring Lunch to Work

Preparing the week's lunches over the weekend - bake chicken, chop veggies, steam rice. Make sure your options include a combination of lean protein and carbohydrates.

4 - Eat More Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and veggies add color, flavor and texture, plus vitamins, minerals and fibers to your plate. Don't let winter stop you from enjoying produce either. It might be harder to find fresh options, but frozen and canned are great alternatives.

5 - Cook Dinner at Home

Making meals at home doesn't have to zap the last bit of your time and energy. The trick is to plan ahead. Use shortcuts such as pre-cut or frozen veggies and keep staples on hand such as low-sodium broth, herbs and lemons for flavoring. A quick and easy idea is to turn leftover beef into stew with beans, no-salt-added diced tomatoes and pre-cut veggies.

6 - For your baby

Breastfeeding is the best way to meet your baby’s nutritional needs during his/her first year of life.  Breast milk contains everything the baby needs for the first six months of life, in all the right proportions. Breast milk has the perfect combination of proteins, fats, vitamins, and carbohydrates.  Its composition even changes according to the baby's changing needs, especially during the first month of life.  There is nothing better for the health of your baby.

COVID-19 Information

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Published on Sunday, 16 February 2020 19:53

The current outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was first identified in China but has now spread internationally, impacting an increasing number of countries. Sustained community spread is occurring in China. Limited person-to-person spread, most associated with close contact with a patient with confirmed 2019-nCoV, has been seen outside of China. No community spread of 2019-nCoV has been identified in the United States at this time.

In the coming days and weeks, we expect more confirmed cases in the United States, including some person-to-person spread. The goal of CDC’s aggressive ongoing public health response is to prevent spread of 2019-nCoV in in the United States.

Information Hotline

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) activated a statewide public hotline for citizens or providers needing guidance regarding the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. At 8 a.m. today, the hotline opened and can be reached at 877-435-8411. The hotline is being operated by medical professionals and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

 How to Prevent Infection

• Novel Coronavirus Fact Sheet
  Overview of Novel Coronavirus, including what it is, how it is spread, symptoms, prevention and treatment
• Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
  Cleaning and disinfection recommendations for the general public to reduce spread of viruses
• COVID-19: Caring for Your Hands
  Guidance and recommendations on hand care, including handwashing guidance and hand sanitizer application
• COVID-19: Washing Hands Can Save Lives
  Guidance, created more specifically for kids, on how to wash hands and correctly use hand sanitizer

Information for Food Service Facilities

• COVID-19 Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting for Food Establishments
  Information and guidance for cleaning and disinfecting for food establishments to support a healthy work environment and community
• COVID-19 Prevention for Food Service Facilities
  Prevention and protection guidance for food service facilities to protect customers and employees

Information for Lodging Establishments

• Cleaning Recommendations for Lodging Establishments to Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
  Cleaning and disinfecting recommendations to lodging establishments to help prevent the spread of viruses

Information for Confirmed or Presumptive Positive Cases and their Households

• COVID-19: Home Care Guidance
  Guidance and recommendations for individuals with presumptive or confirmed COVID-19, and others in their household
• COVID-19 Cleaning Practices for Individuals in Home Isolation/Quarantine
  Guidance and recommendations for cleaning a home with a presumptive or confirmed COVID-19 case

What you should do

• STAY INFORMED – CDC is updating its website daily with the latest information and advice for the public. (www.cdc.gov/ncov)
• REMEMBER TO TAKE EVERYDAY PREVENTIVE ACTIONS that are always recommended to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.
• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; germs spread this way.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs.
• 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 rub with at least 60% alcohol.
• IF YOU FEEL SICK with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and have traveled to China or were in close contact with someone with 2019-nCoV in the 14 days before you began to feel
  sick, seek medical care. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.

What you should not do

• DO NOT travel to China.
• DO NOT use facemasks. CDC does not recommend the use of facemasks for the general U.S. public to prevent the spread of 2019-nCoV.
• DO NOT show prejudice to people of Asian descent, because of fear of this new virus. Do not assume that someone of Asian descent is more likely to have 2019-nCoV.

All persons in the U.S.— including those of Asian descent—who have not traveled to China or been in contact with someone with a confirmed or suspected nCoV case in the last 14 days are at low risk of becoming sick.

For more information go to: www.cdc.gov/nCov