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County keeping tabs on coronavirusBy Arpan LoboSentinel Staff616-546-4219OTTAWA COUNTY -There have not been any reported cases of the coronavirus disease — also known as COVID-19 — in Michigan, but Ottawa County officials are still taking steps to ensure thatlocal health care providers and other organizations are prepared in the event that the disease appears locally.Kristina Wieghmink, public information officer for the Ottawa County Department of Public Health, said that the depart -ment is monitoring people who have traveled to regions where COVID-19 has been confirmed.“We're monitoring the situation daily,” she said. Wieghmink said that the county is working to ensure that symptoms are being recognized, making sure that health care providers have the correct equipment and that businesses, schools and other community organizations are practicing methods to avoid the spread of all communicablediseases.“It's the basics, really,” Wieghmink said. “Avoiding close contact with people who are sick, washing your hands often and washing them with soap and warm water for 20 seconds, thoroughly.” Wieghmink added hand sanitizers with at least 60 percent alcohol can be used in place of soap if there isn't any available.Additionally, frequently cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and electronics can prevent the spread of germs. Other common practices, like covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue and avoiding touching the eyes, mouth and nose with unwashed hands can also prevent germs from spreading.The first coronavirus-related deaths in the U.S. took place in Washington state, where five people have died after being exposed to the virus in a nursing home. Cases have also been reported in California, Florida, Illinois, Rhode Island and New York.According to TheSee VIRUS, A2A tourist wears a face mask as she watches the Changing of the Guard, at Buckingham Palace, in London, Monday, March 2. lapPHOTO/FRANK AUGSTEIN]
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Holland Sentinel
Holland, Michigan, US
Tue, Mar 03, 2020
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Benjamin H.
MI, USA 01 Feb 2022
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