Council cancels its public meetings - March 12 through March 22

Richmond City Council / News Release

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Thursday, 12 March 2020

Council cancels its public meetings - March 12 through March 22

WHAT           Richmond, Virginia – With caution and concern for public health with respect to Coronavirus, or COVID-19, Richmond City Council has canceled its upcoming public meetings, scheduled March 12 through March 22, 2020, and will continue to provide updated information.

Richmond City Council also reminds Richmond residents to follow reputable sources of information regarding Coronavirus/COVID-19. Some suggested sources for updated information include the following websites:

·     City of Richmond http://www.richmondgov.com/covid19/

·     Virginia Dept. of Health http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus

·     U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/

Residents with questions about Coronavirus/COVID-19 are encouraged to call the Virginia Dept. of Health hotline, at 2-1-1.

Some Coronavirus Information

Coronavirus/COVID-19, is a new respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Coronaviruses affect the respiratory system, including the lungs and airways. The virus is easily spread from person to person through sneezes, coughs, and droplets that enter the environment. Mild symptoms include runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, and shortness of breath. Severe infections can cause pneumonia, kidney failure, and death. Elderly people and those with pre-existing conditions (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and lung disease) are most at risk for more severe symptoms.

     It can take two days to 14 days for an infected person to show symptoms after exposure. An infected person can spread the virus before they show symptoms.

If you think you may be sick with the coronavirus:

·     Contact your health care provider or local emergency health care facility before going to an office, hospital, or clinic. This helps healthcare providers to take special precautions to avoid further exposure 

·     Avoid contact with others 

·     Do not travel while sick

How to help protect yourself and your loved ones

·     Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

·     Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible

·     Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing

·     Clean and disinfect touched objects and surfaces frequently

·     Stay home when you are sick

·     Avoid contact with sick people as much as possible

·     Avoid non-essential travel

·     Practice social distancing, which means remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others when possible

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