Town Monitoring Reports On Coronavirus, Urges Precautions

EAST HAMPTON, NY — East Hampton Town issued a release Thursday with precautions aimed at protecting community health during the flu season and "in case of coronavirus," officials said.

“The Town of East Hampton will continue to monitor state and federal health agency reports on the spread of flu and the ‘novel coronavirus,’ and will follow and disseminate official guidelines for maintaining health and preventing against the spread of the viruses as the situation evolves,” East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc said.

The risk of getting coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is currently low in the U.S., according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the release said. As of Thursday there were no confirmed cases of coronavirus in New York State. "However, seasonal flu cases are widespread and increasing," town officials said.

The CDC, town officials said, recommends following these standard, everyday disease-prevention practices to protect against infection and to help stop the spread of germs:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
• The New York State Health Department, which issued a Jan. 3 advisory on the “dramatic increase” of flu cases across the state, “recommends and urges that everyone six months of age or older receive an influenza vaccination. While there is currently no vaccine for the novel coronavirus,” the Health Department said, everyday preventative actions can help stop its spread.

In addition, town officials said, "If you are sick, the CDC advises staying home and following the guidelines to prevent spreading illness to others at home and in and the community, including wearing a face mask when around other people or pets."

The effects of the coronavirus can range from mild to severe symptoms, the release said; symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, and may appear in as few as two days or a long as 14 days after exposure, according to the CDC.

People who think they may have been exposed to the coronavirus should contact their healthcare provider immediately, the town said, quoting the CDC.

"The virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person, the CDC has reported, but may be contracted by touching a surface or object with the virus on it and then touching one’s mouth, nose, or eyes," the release said. "People with the virus are thought to be most contagious when they are the sickest and most symptomatic."

According to East Hampton Town, the CDC, as of Feb. 26, reported 14 confirmed cases within the United States in addition to 45 cases among people who had been in Wuhan, China, or on the Diamond Princess cruise ship where an outbreak occurred.

Additional information can be found at the New York State Department of Health website or here.