File photo
File photo
Officials in Tyler County are planning to join five other Southeast Texas counties in combating the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Ken Jobe from the Tyler County Emergency Management Center said the county has been trying to get mutual aid agreements with the others – Jefferson, Orange, Hardin, Newton and Jasper – to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
The six counties teamed up and announced a multi-county hotline for residents: 409-384-6829.
Symptoms of COVID-19 are often similar to a cold or the flu such as a fever, cough, and shortness of breath, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention said (CDC). Healthy individuals who have COVID-19 will generally display mild symptoms. When residents call the hotline, a nurse will answer to screen them for the coronavirus. If residents meet the CDC guidelines during the screening, the nurse will refer them to testing for COVID-19.
COVID-19 is spread through coughing or sneezing without covering mouths, close contact like hand shaking or hugging and touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on it then proceeding to touch your face. Symptoms of COVID-19 can appear anywhere between two and 14 days after exposure to the virus.
The spread of the virus can be prevented by regularly cleaning commonly used surfaces and objects. Staying home when sick and covering mouths when sneezing or coughing can also help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Eating and sleeping in separate rooms from your household can also help. Lastly, be sure to throw away any used tissues.
Individuals can lower their risk of infection by washing their hands often for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizer should also be used as a second resort if water and soap aren't available. Individuals should also avoid touching their face and close contact with other who are sick.