Epidemiologist provides Cache Valley coronavirus update

LOGAN – Bear River Health Department Epidemiologist Keith Larsen said Utah’s disease surveillance system is working as designed in monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19).

”For the average Utahn that’s not traveling and that’s not being exposed to cases, the risk is very low,” Larsen explained. “Our job in public health, though, is to prevent exposure to disease so it doesn’t spread in the community. We’re just encouraging folks to be wise in their activities and it’s the same for any respiratory virus: stay home if you are sick, cover your cough and wash your hands frequently.”

Larsen said at BRHD a great deal of time year round is spent planning for pandemics of various kinds and they have had extensive experience preparing for them.

”We have a good team working here at the Bear River Health Department with some great folks down at the state and some talented people at the CDC and they are helping us with this,” he added. “We will use the best information, the best science we can and the best community practices to prevent the spread in the community, if and when it becomes a problem.”

Coronaviruses typically have an incubation period of 2-14 days after exposure.

Larsen said the virus is mainly spread from person-to-person, between people who are in close contact (within about six feet) with one another or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

He said recommended precautions include covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when coughing or sneezing, wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe, stay home if you are sick, avoid non-essential travel to China and since it’s currently flu season, it is recommended you get a flu vaccine.

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