Soap and hand sanitizer are hard to find in Greenwood thanks to the threat of the coronavirus sweeping the world.
The virus, known more formally as COVID-19, broke out early this year from China. At the end of January, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization called the outbreak “a public health emergency of international concern.”
So far, the coronavirus has been detected in nearly 90 countries. The United States is one of the latest victims.
However, the Mississippi Department of Health reports no cases in the state so far.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, people of all ages with severe underlying health conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, are more at risk of contracting COVID-19 than healthier people.
Sandy Fink of Greenwood Leflore Hospital advises the Leflore County Board of Supervisors on Monday on what to do to prepare for the potential spread of the coronavirus.
Sandy Fink, an infection preventionist and safety officer at Greenwood Leflore Hospital, said the frenzied buying of sanitary products in stores is mostly just that: a frenzy.
“You’ve got to wash your hands and keep your hands away from your face,” she said. “Hand sanitizer is good if you can’t wash your hands.”
Face masks have also been scarce in stores, but Fink said there’s no point in buying them up. “A mask will not do you any good against a virus,” she said. “Buying a mask and wearing it around is not helping.”
Brenda Small, another infection preventionist and safety officer at the hospital, advises those more at risk, such as older people or sick people, to not go outside “unless they have to.”
The most recent, closest reported case of COVID-19 was in Memphis on Sunday morning. The patient was in the hospital being treated and was reported to be in “good condition.”
Both Fink and Small were at the Leflore County Board of Supervisors meeting on Monday , giving updates on the status of the coronavirus in surrounding areas and what their plan is to stay ahead of the curve.
The coronavirus is flu-like and spreads from person to person with close contact or by coughing and sneezing.
The death toll across the world is nearing the 4,000 mark with over 100,000 cases of infection being reported.
The main symptoms that may show up within two weeks of exposure to the virus are a fever, a cough and shortness of breath.
“If you have been in contact with someone with lab-confirmed COVID-19, or have traveled in one of the affected areas, or have related questions, please contact the Mississippi Department of Health’s COVID-19 Hotline at 877-978-6453,” the hospital said in a statement.
•Contact Kerrigan Herret at 581-7233 or kherret@gwcommonwealth.com.
