News Flash

PUBLIC INFORMATION REGARDING COVID-19
RUSSELLVILLE, AR (March 13, 2020) - The Russellville Fire Department announced today, information from the CDC (Center For Disease Control) regarding the Coronavirus COVID-19. Also included in the release is information regarding the City of Russellville and Russellville Fire Department’s emergency preparedness.
The City of Russellvile and the Russellville Fire Department have taken proactive steps to reduce the risk of exposure within the community and to ensure the community that it’s emergency responders are trained and prepared to continue responding in an efficent and effective manner.

What is the City of Russellville doing in regard to COVID-19?

The City is being very proactive in dealing with the coronavirus (COVID-19). The fire and police departments have developed specific, comprehensive response plans. Each city department has put measures in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The City is working with County officials and local health facilities to educate and protect the public. Continual and reliable information will be released as soon as it becomes available. 

The City’s social media sites are providing information as it becomes available.

How is the Russellville Fire Department prepared or preparing?

The Russellville Fire Department trains regularly for large-scale events.

The Department has currently completed comprehensive training on COVID-19.

The Department has inacted policies in regard to handling COVID-19 incidents.

The Department has a contingency plan for handling internal resource issues such as staffing.

The Department has adequate resource capabilities such as Personal Protective Equipment for handling COVID-19.

THE CITY OF RUSSELLVILLE AND THE RUSSELLVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARE REQUESTING THAT YOU READ THE INFORMATION BELOW PROVIDED BY THE CDC:

What is Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe disease. COVID-19 is a new strain and we are still learning how it spreads, the severity of the illnesses is dependent on the patient. 

How does COVID-19 spread?

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes..

How can I prevent getting COVID-19?

Take everyday precautions.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Take everyday preventive actions:

  • Clean your hands often

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.

  • If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

  • To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.

  • Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.

  • Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.

  • Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones).

  • Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.

  • Avoid all non-essential travel including plane trips, and especially avoid embarking on cruise ships.

What are the symptoms?

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

• Fever - Fever is being seen in 88% of cases

• Cough

• Shortness of breath

Who is most susceptable or at a higher risk to COVID-19?

• People with underlying heart health conditions (heart disease, lung disease, diabetes)
• Older Adults
• People with suppressed immune systems

Can someone spread the virus without being sick?

• People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).

• Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

 What do you do if you are sick?

Call your doctor. If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.  

Call ahead before visiting your doctor:

• Call ahead: If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.

 If people think they may have flu-like symptoms, they need to alert the health facility they intend to go to so that the facility can be prepared for their arrival. They may have a specific entrance for them to enter or specific instructions for the patient. We want to limit the spread and exposure of COVID-19. Suspected persons need to be cognizant of the atmosphere they subject others to.

What type of treatment is available for the novel coronavirus?

There currently isn’t a vaccine against developing COVID-19. Antibiotics are also ineffective because COVID-19 is a viral infection and not bacterial.

If your symptoms are more severe, supportive treatments may be given by your doctor or at a hospital. This type of treatment may involve:

• fluids to reduce the risk of dehydration

• medication to reduce a fever

• supplemental oxygen in more severe cases

What do you do if you suspect you are sick with COVID-19 and have an emergency?

Call 911 if you have a medical emergency: If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that you have, or are being evaluated for COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before emergency medical services arrive. If you are being monitored or suspected of having COVID-19, please place a note on your door to alert First Responders. 

What can I do If I am sick or possibly infected with COVID-19?

If you are sick or possibly infected with COVID-19, it is very important to keep from spreading it to other people in your home and community.

Stay home except for medical care

• Stay home: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care.

• Avoid public areas:Do not go to work, school, or public areas.

• Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.

Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home

Cover your coughs and sneezes

Clean your hands often

• Wash hands: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.

• Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.

• Soap and water: Soap and water are the best option if hands are visibly dirty.

• Avoid touching: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid sharing personal household items

Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday

• High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables

Where can someone find more Information and/or talk to someone about COVID-19?

ADH has activated a call center to answer questions from health care providers and the public about the novel coronavirus. During normal business hours (8:00am – 4:30pm), urgent and non-urgent calls, please call 1-800-803-7847. After normal business hours, urgent calls needing immediate response, please call 501-661-2136.

The Centers for Disease Control website is an excellent resource for information. (www.cdc.gov)

The Arkansas Dept of Health is also providing current up to date reports specifically to Arkansas as well as links to CDC. (healthy.arkansas.gov)

** End of release.**

 

For additional information contact:

Richard Setian, Fire Marshal/PIOCity of Russellville Fire Department107 North El PasoRussellville, AR 72801479-968-2332