The warning issued by U.S. health officials about the imminent spread of coronavirus on U.S. territory has put health officials in Philadelphia on alert. The severity of this warning, which considers the spread of the coronavirus inevitable, has resulted in a call for citizens to prepare for a “significant disruption” of their lives as a result of the virus’ impact.
The community transmission that has occurred in several countries such as Italy, Iran and South Korea has changed the perception that the virus would not spread in the same way in the United States. Faced with this scenario, health officials do not believe now in the possibility that the virus can be contained and therefore are calling on residents to be prepare to face it.
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The statements made by Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley reveal the preparations being made by local health authorities to deal with this situation.
“If there are cases that occur here, we’re going to work very hard to prevent that spread. We’ve been working close with hospitals, the CDC and state officials. Our health systems are strong and we’ll be able to quarantine someone who has the infection,” he said.
Farley said hospitals are sufficiently equipped for the activation of a quarantine process, but he pointed out that public support for the authorities is needed. As an example, he referred to the protocol to follow in case a person travels to Philadelphia from an infected area. The person making such a trip must remain isolated for fourteen days.
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Meanwhile there is a collaborative work of hospitals across the city and representatives of disease control to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
The doctor added that it is of paramount importance to plan in advance the daily strategies for the inevitable changes that will be brought about by the irruption of the dangerous virus.
“People may need to work from home, maybe kids won’t be able to go to school because they won’t be able to stay open,” Farley said.
Although no cases of coronavirus have yet been reported in Philadelphia, the public has begun to react to its imminent arrival. Evidence of this has been the increase in sales of medical masks in the city.