City leaders rollout preventative measures; Keep public informed on COVID -19

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – City of East Providence leaders met to discuss Rhode Island Department of Health and Gov. Gina Raimondo’s press conference on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and plan precautionary measures.

Mayor Bob DaSilva, Superintendent Katherine Crowley, Council President Robert Britto, Council Vice President Bob Rodericks, School Committee Chair Charles Tsonas, Dir. of Administration Napoleon Gonsalves, East Providence Fire Chief/EMA Dir. Glenn Quick, East Providence Fire Battalion Chief Michael Carey and Capt. John Potvin, East Providence Police Capt. James Nelson and Dir. of School Facilities and Security Tony Feola met on Sunday, March 1st to discuss the city’s response on the latest developments from the RIDOH on the first presumptive case of Coronavirus in Rode Island.

The City has been in communication with the RIDOH and Governor’s Office and adhering to all guidelines provided by both offices.

The city of East Providence, together with the East Providence School Department, have taken action to educate school administrators, families and the community at large of the precautionary steps including:

• Continued sanitation and cleaning of all East Providence schools
• Daily sanitation of all East Providence school busses
• Frequent hand washing
• Use of hand sanitizer between hand washing
• Cleaning of desks and other hard surfaces
• Reminding students to cough and sneeze in elbow
• Proper disposal of tissues
• Reminders to not share personal items, food and drinks

Because human coronaviruses most commonly spread through respiratory droplets, Rhode Islanders are reminded to take the same measures that healthcare providers recommend annually to prevent the spread of the flu and other viruses.

Rhode Island Department of Health advises the following:
• Get your flu shot, and make sure the people around you do the same.
• Wash your hands often throughout the day. Use warm water and soap. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand gel.
• Cough or sneeze into your elbow. Flu is spread through coughing or sneezing on other people or into your hands.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes to prevent others from getting sick. - Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.
• Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant.

The Center for Diseases Control advises the following:
• The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19.
• You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it.
• A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected.

If you are ill with flu-like symptom (coughing, sneezing, fever, muscle or body aches), officials are urging you to stay home.

If you have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19 and you have symptoms of the disease (fever, cough, shortness of breath), reach out to your healthcare provider and call ahead before going to a healthcare facility. The healthcare provider or facility will work closely with RIDOH.