The City of Red Deer says the focus is on cleaning public facilities, and reminding staff and residents to practise proper hygiene when it comes to preventing spread of the coronavirus.
Karen Mann, the city’s emergency management co-ordinator, said the city is monitoring recommendations from Alberta Health Services when it comes to changing any maintenance procedures.
“At this time, we are just ensuring that our facilities remain clean and that we are paying extra close attention to high-traffic, high-touch areas like counter tops and hand rails and light switches,” Mann said.
She said based on AHS recommendations, more signs are up to remind city staff, and the public, of the importance of washing their hands and staying home when they are sick.
Where handwashing isn’t readily available, there are hand sanitizer stations, but many of them were already in place, Mann said.
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As of Monday, there were seven coronavirus cases in Alberta.
Alberta Health Services advises those with symptoms, such as fever, cough and difficulty breathing, and who have travelled outside Canada, or have been exposed to someone who has the virus, also known as COVID-19, to stay home and call Health Link 811.
If they are not seriously ill, they should not go to a physician’s office, a health care facility, or a lab without consulting with Health Link 811 first. If they are seriously ill, and need immediate medical attention, they should call 911.
COVID-19 symptoms are similar to those for influenza or other respiratory illnesses, and can range from mild to severe.
The majority of cases involve mild symptoms. Older adults and people with medical conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and lung disease are more likely to become seriously ill.
COVID-19 is believed to be spread mainly by coughing, sneezing or direct contact with someone who is sick with the virus, or by touching surfaces that have recently been infected.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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