CGH Medical Center issued the following announcement on March 11.
With the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) now reported in more than 80 countries, you may wonder if you should put your spring break or summer travel plans on hold.
If your plans involve travel to mainland China, Iran, South Korea or Italy, the answer is a clear yes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises avoiding all nonessential travel to those countries where the illness is now widespread.
This recommendation does not include Hong Kong, Macau or the island of Taiwan.
CDC also advises that older adults and those with chronic health problems consider postponing travel to Japan.
The virus that causes COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, China, last December but has since spread throughout Asia, the Americas, Europe, Africa and Australia. It causes a respiratory illness that can range from mild to severe. In some cases, it can cause complications (like pneumonia) that can be deadly.
How to stay safe
When traveling abroad or here in the U.S., CDC does not advise the public to use face masks to prevent COVID-19. Little evidence supports their effectiveness for general prevention, and buying them could make them less available for those who do need them in healthcare settings.
But simple, everyday steps like these can help stop the spread of the virus:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren't handy, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Don't travel if you feel sick.
Cover your coughs or sneezes with a clean tissue. Then throw it away in the trash.
Disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with a standard household cleaning product or wipe.
Watch for symptoms
You can also protect yourself and others by watching for COVID-19 symptoms. They include a fever, a cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after you've been exposed to the virus, CDC believes.
Recognizing symptoms is especially important if you've recently been to an area with an ongoing spread of COVID-19.
If you're concerned you may have the disease, call ahead before you go to a doctor's office or emergency room. Let them know about your recent travel and your symptoms—and avoid contact with others.
The outlook for travel
The COVID-19 situation is rapidly evolving. So before you take off on a trip or make new travel plans, check the latest CDC travel updates.
If you're planning to go abroad, check with your health plan to see what care is and is not covered outside the U.S. You may want to consider buying travel insurance to protect yourself from uncovered medical expenses if you get sick while you're out of the country.
Trip cancellation insurance can also help you recover the cost of plane, train or cruise tickets if travel to your destination is restricted later.
Original source can be found here.
Source: CGH Medical Center
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