“DENVER (KDVR) -- Denver Health Medical Center said Thursday it is preparing for the possibility of the novel coronavirus making its way to Colorado. Currently, no confirmed cases have been reported in the state.”
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“"I’m not sure if you can get novel coronavirus twice,” said Dr. Heather Young, DHMC's medical director of infection prevention. “Generally, people wouldn’t get the same virus twice because your body has built up immunity to it.””
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DHMC says it has been ensuring there is enough protective equipment for medical staff. It is also working to identify patients who may have symptoms very early on. Finally, it is communicating internally and externally about best practices regarding the virus.
DHMC has the capability to quarantine people in 60-70 airborne isolation rooms.”
Denver Health on coronavirus: Wash hands, stay away from those with symptoms, continue daily routines
Feb 27, 2020
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Coloradans should prepare for the coronavirus like they would a snowstorm, health officials say
““What do we do when a snowstorm is coming?” she asked. “Most people don’t panic. This is not a moment for you to start worrying and having anxiety. It’s a moment to think, ‘OK, if schools are canceled, what am I going to do with my kids? If I have a sick relative and I can’t get to her, who is going to watch my mom who I normally take care of?'””
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“Ready for Ebola, SARS and more
Colorado has developed pandemic response plans in the last couple years in preparation for illnesses such as SARS, swine flu and Ebola in 2014, said Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
“We’ve built tools and protocols to monitor travelers and developed disease investigation protocols,” Herlihy said. “Our pandemic response plans we’ve been working on definitely have social distancing and community mitigation measures that are accounted for in those plans, but it’s certainly important for businesses to prepare and understand there could be disruption if we were to see transmission in Colorado.””
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“As for Denverites, Bob McDonald, executive director of Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, said the city always has had an emergency plan in place for infectious disease.
“We have quarantine isolation protocols in place, communications in place to reach out to jobs, schools to provide guidance should it enter into their facility,” McDonald said. “It’s important to keep things in perspective””
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State health officials urge Coloradans to take coronavirus seriously as disease continues to spread
“"Just be smart about preparation. It doesn’t mean you have to hide in your basement and hope everything goes away," said Barron. "Just be practical; what would you do if a snowstorm was coming? Think in that sort of same context."”