Your health is ALWAYS important to us!
As the reports of the novel (new) coronavirus (COVID-19) frequent the news with information changing daily, there is likely to be anxiety about its potential impact on our community. As of March 10, there have been seven coronavirus cases diagnosed in North Carolina, according to the News & Observer. While the risk remains low, the situation is changing rapidly, and it is expected that there will be more cases diagnosed in the coming weeks.
What Is COVID-19?
COVID-19 was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, during an outbreak of respiratory illness among people who had visited a live animal market. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause mild to severe respiratory symptoms, such as coughing, congestion, and shortness of breath, as well as flu-like symptoms, such as fever.
On December 31, 2019, the World Health Organization confirmed that dozens of people in Wuhan, China were being treated for pneumonia from an unknown source. The first confirmed case in the United States was on January 21, 2020, in an individual who had traveled to Wuhan. As of March 10, the number of people testing positive in the United States was 955, according to the New York Times.
Cleaning Protocols
Long before COVID-19 appeared, Kaleideum Downtown and Kaleideum North prioritized keeping the Museums clean and disinfected. Kaleideum utilizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) best practices to prevent the spread of cold and flu, which includes disinfecting the facilities and exhibits daily with an EPA-approved, hospital–grade disinfectant.
In addition, our staff follows basic hygiene practices, such as frequent hand-washing and utilizing our alcohol-based hand sanitizer stations located around the Museum.
Best Practices for Staying Healthy
Health professionals and the CDC offer the following recommendations to help individuals stay healthy:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick; do not travel.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, such as countertops, phones, keyboards, laptops, doorknobs, and bathroom fixtures.
- Immunize yourself against the flu if you have not already.
Finding Trusted Information
In order to be prepared, it is important to get your news about the coronavirus from reputable resources. Below is a list of trusted sources of information:
- North Carolina Division of Public Health
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- CDC Travel Health Notice
- U.S. Department of State Travel Warnings
- World Health Organization
Kaleideum is actively monitoring the situation and keeping abreast of news from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, the Forsyth County Department of Public Health, and the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Office of Emergency Management to prepare for any changes in the status of coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in the state and in our local area.