Although no cases of coronavirus have been reported in San Bernardino County, the board of supervisors and the county’s public health officer declared a state of emergency Tuesday. Declaring a state of emergency allows local government agencies to obtain federal and state funds to buy emergency supplies, and to take other actions to prepare for the virus. Cases of coronavirus have been identified in neighboring Riverside, Los Angeles, and Orange counties; 52 residents in San Bernardino County have not been confirmed to have the virus but are under surveillance. The county started testing residents on Friday and can currently test 10 to 15 residents a day; it hopes to have the ability to test up to 30 people a day soon.
HEALTH SAFETY TIPS:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Wash hands with soap and warm water for 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.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth, especially with unwashed hands.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipes.
- If someone does become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough, they should stay away from work, school or other people to avoid spreading illness and seek assistance from their healthcare provider if symptoms become severe.
- N95 masks are not recommended outside a healthcare setting. Surgical masks can be worn by sick individuals to reduce the likelihood of spreading germs to others.
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
