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Coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan City, China in December, threatens flu-like symptoms that lead to greater complications, including respiratory illness with fever, cough, and potential for bronchitis and severe pneumonia.
Confirmed cases of COVID-19, better known as coronavirus, have began to trickle into Tarrant County, and innumerable eyes have kept close watch on the rapid spread of the potentially deadly ailment, preparing for what seems like an inevitable outbreak.
The first individual identified as a “presumptive positive” case Wednesday is Rev. Dr. Robert Pace of Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and Trinity Episcopal Church, according to the ministry. Pace, who traveled to a conference in Kentucky during late February, has been kept in isolation and closely monitored by medical staff at a Fort Worth hospital, according to Michael Drivdahl, public information officer for the City of Fort Worth.
Coronavirus, which originated in Wuhan City, China in December, threatens flu-like symptoms that lead to greater complications, including respiratory illness with fever, cough, and potential for bronchitis and severe pneumonia. Public health officials have cautioned those with cardiopulmonary disease and weakened immune systems face greater risk.
Worldwide, the virus has infected more than 120,000 and killed more than 4,300, but nearly 67,000 have recovered, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Should Fort Worth and greater Tarrant County be concerned about coronavirus?
“People should be concerned, but not panicked,” Richard Hill, spokesman for the Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) administration, says. “At this time, there is no community transmission and Tarrant County Public Health is working to contain the spread of the virus.”
The immediate risk of transmission in Tarrant County and Fort Worth specifically remains low, according to public health administrators, and city staff says they’re implementing preparedness and precautionary efforts to ensure health and wellbeing of all residents and city employees.
As COVID-19 multiplies within greater Fort Worth — including cases already confirmed in Alvarado, Dallas, and Frisco — it’s become critical the public has a means to test for the illness, and THCP in early March joined facilities in Dallas, Houston, El Paso, and Lubbock in gaining capability to test for the disease.
Although availability has been limited, TCPH has worked with the medical community to ensure the test is available for people who meet the case definition for coronavirus testing. Around 800 test kits from the CDC were received, and Tarrant County is able to test between 50 to 100 tests per day.
How might this affect daily life? It could mean events will be cancelled, TCPH anticipates, and more people will work from home. North Texas is at greater risk for seeing cases, Hill says, due to a mobile population that travels internationally.
Among those said to be at particular risk for coronavirus include the elderly, according to WHO, and local senior living facilities have taken notice.
The Stayton at Museum Way by Lifespace Communities released a statement in early March underscoring the importance of safeguarding vulnerable residents — so much so that symptomatic visitors are being denied access and asked to leave in certain cases, co-mingling events are being suspended, and visitors under the age of 18 are restricted from visiting.
“Our team is closely monitoring our communities for any sign of the virus and we are providing education and resources to our team members and residents,” Lifespace Communities said in the statement. “The health of our residents and team members is our number one priority.”
On Wednesday, Mayor Betsy Price, TCPH Director Vinny Taneja, and Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley shared sentiments echoing a common theme in a livestream soon after the first local case of COVID-19 was announced: With fact, you can fight fear.
In their reassurance, the trio also reiterated tips that have been circulating for weeks: avoid unnecessary travel, practice good hygiene, be transparent regarding any symptoms you may have. Taneja urged those with aforementioned symptoms to first seek aid from primary or urgent care before advancing to an emergency room seeking coronavirus testing, as North Texas is still enduring through the thick of flu season.
“That is the key message we want to give today — don’t worry and don’t fear this virus. It is just like what we’ve seen with many others, and we’ll get through this as a community,” Taneja says. “We’ve all been preparing, all the stakeholders, people who touch your lives every day. We have plans in place, and we’re executing those plans.”
Tarrant County’s hotline established for coronavirus questions and concerns is 817-248-6299.
Although there is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19, the best way to prevent infection is to take the following precautions:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Source: Tarrant County Public Health