With all of the coronavirus (COVID-19) alerts on the news and online, we know you likely have questions about how Novant Health is preparing to manage potential cases of the virus in our communities.

The first thing we want you to know is we are prepared to care for patients who show symptoms of COVID-19. We are also prepared to keep our team members, physicians, clinical care teams, and volunteers safe.
Here’s what else we want you to know:

You should have peace of mind.
• Most people who contract COVID-19 will have mild symptoms and will make a full recovery. The majority of infants, children and adolescents with COVID-19, who traditionally are more susceptible to severe respiratory infections, have had more mild cases of the infection and recovered within one to two weeks.

Washing your hands is the best defense.
• Currently, no vaccine is available to prevent COVID-19 infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid exposure to this virus. Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. And please try to stay away from touching your face. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used as an alternative, but hand-washing is your best defense.

There’s a difference between myths and facts.
• It’s important to stay informed with the right information. Visit www.novanthealth.org/coronavirus for more resources. If you have additional questions about COVID-19, please call the NC State Public Health number established for public novel coronavirus questions: 1-866-462-3821. This is intended for non-emergency general questions from the public.
We understand this is a time of stress and uncertainty for many in our communities. Novant Health has been hard-at-work building on our preparedness plans and our infectious disease experts are closely monitoring this ever-evolving situation. Novant Health will post updates related to COVID-19 at novanthealth.org/coronavirus so you can keep up-to-date on our response.

Also:

Global shares rise, but investors remain skittish.
South Korea puts limits on short sellers after its market slump.
China’s ‘lazy economy’ booms amid the outbreak.
Oil shock ripples through the global financial system.
Outbreak arrives on Wall Street as hedge fund employee tests positive.
Disney’s Asia parks remain closed. In the United States, it’s business as usual.
S.E.C. advises employees in Washington to work from home.

[Post edited by PhotoHokieNC at 03/10/2020 06:10AM]