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COVID-19 Information: City of Denton Working Closely with State and County Health Officials

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DENTON, TX, March 12, 2020 – The City of Denton is working closely with state and county health officials as we monitor the developing impacts of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

As of March 12, at 8:30 a.m., there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Denton County. Denton County Public Health Department is the local public health authority and will share the most updated information.

Denton County Public Health Department
Website – www.dentoncounty.gov/coronavirus
Facebook – Denton County Public Health
Twitter – @WeAreDCPH

City of Denton
Website – www.cityofdenton.com/coronavirus
Facebook – City of Denton, TX – City Hall
Twitter – @cityofdentontx

This is an evolving situation, and we encourage residents to continue monitoring the websites and social media channels of Denton County and the City of Denton for the latest information. As we have a clearer picture of how COVID-19 affects our area, the City of Denton may provide updated information to residents or may announce adjustments to City events, facilities, or services.

FAQs as of March 12, 2020

What is COVID-19 (Coronavirus)?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person:

· Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet)

· Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

· Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands; and rarely, fecal contamination.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

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Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

What can I do to help protect myself?

There are simple everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

  • 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 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.

  • 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.

For more information on what you can do at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19, see the CDC website.

Does the use of facemasks in the community help prevent COVID19?

CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a health care professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of facemasks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

What should I do if I think I have COVID-19?

Per the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), if you are experiencing fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and you have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID‑19 or have traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID‑19 in the last 14 days, you should contact your healthcare provider. Be sure to call ahead before going to your doctor’s office or emergency department to prevent any potential spread of illness.

On March 11, the DSHS also released the following advice for high-risk and general populations:

  • High-Risk Population: If you are 65 years or older and/or have other medical problems like heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or cancer are at a higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19. If you develop fever or symptoms, call your doctor. If you are not sick enough to be hospitalized, you can recover at home. Follow your doctor’s instructions or refer to CDC guidance for how to take care of yourself at home.

  • General Populations: If you are in generally good health and have a mild illness, stay home and take care of yourself like you would for the flu. If symptoms worsen, call your doctor.

Your doctor will make the decision whether you should get tested for COVID-19.

For more information on what you can do to if you are sick and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, see the CDC website.

Where can I find the latest list of travel advisories?

You can monitor the CDC’s list of states and countries with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19 via the CDC website here.

What is the City of Denton doing?

The City’s Emergency Management Office is in daily communication with the Denton County Public Health Department, the Texas Department of State Health Services, and other partners to ensure the City has the latest information. The City has also formed a multi-departmental health crisis response team to communicate and plan with collaboration and participation from our partners at the Denton County Public Health Department (DCPH), Denton Independent School District (DISD), University of North Texas (UNT), Texas Woman’s University (TWU), and North Central Texas College (NCTC).

The City of Denton has emergency response plans, including a Pandemic Flu Response Plan and a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP). A COOP is a plan that identifies mission-essential functions, key personnel, and critical facilities so that in the event of a citywide emergency, the City of Denton may continue to operate. All City departments have been directed to review the plan and prepare contingency actions.

Where can I find more information or resources to share?

Many of us work with the public and we want to provide information and resources that can help you. Please use the CDC and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Coronavirus webpages as reliable sources of information. Those websites will also list helpful tips specific to the workplace, like keeping commonly used surfaces such as doorknobs, keyboards, remote controls, desks, wiped down by employees before each use. The DSHS website also provides communication tools that can be used.

For more FAQs, visit CDC.gov/Coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html.

COVID-19 : What to Do (English)

COVID-19 : What to Do (Spanish)

Contact: Ryan Adams, (940) 349-8565, Ryan.Adams@cityofdenton.com

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