Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

What is Coronavirus Disease or “COVID-19”:

COVID-19 is a new disease and the Center for Disease Control and Public Health Officials are still learning how it spreads, the severity of illness it causes, and to what extent it may spread in the United States.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person:

Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Can someone spread the virus without being sick?

People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).
Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
Spread from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Check the CDC Website for more information on symptoms

Who Is At Greatest Risk From Coronavirus (COVID 19)?

Older people and people of all ages with severe underlying health conditions — like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, for example — seem to be at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness.
CDC has information for other special population, who at this time are not considered high risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness, but are at increased risk of severe illness from other infectious diseases. These include pregnant women and children.

Check the CDC Website for more information on all vulnerable populations.

Information on Protecting You and Your Family

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

Click the following link to see the current CDC recommendations on protections you and your family can take to prevent being exposed or spread COVID-19.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html

How Individuals and Families Can Prepare for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Emergency Preparedness: Make a plan, build a kit, be informed

Click this link on information for planning, preparing, and responding to Coronavirus (Covid-19) in your home: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/index.html

What To Do If You Think You Are Sick:

Call the Health Department Hotline at 540-267-8240.

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call Health Department Hotline immediately. If you plan on an Emergency Room visit please call your destination facility BEFORE you go. If you are using ambulance for transport tell the 911 or EMS operator that you have symptoms so first responders can prepare.

Click the following link to find out more about what to do if you think you are sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html

How Coronavirus (COVID-19) affects Pulaski County

The following measures Pulaski County has engaged in to help keep our citizens and personnel safe.

Declared a Local State of Emergency for Pulaski County, VA effective – 03/21/20 (Ratified 03/23/20)
Discontinued the public’s access into all County facilities (delivery of core and essential county services will continue until further advised) – effective 03/24/20 (The County will utilize email, regular mail, telephones, facsimile, teleconferencing and other appropriate communication platforms in the delivery of services to prevent face-to face interactions between the public and its employees).
Implemented mask and face covering protocols for all First Responders effective – 04/06/20
Implemented utilization of masks for all essential county employees effective – 04/13/20
Implemented Telework solutions for the safe continuance of local government operations on 04/01/20
Implemented a county-wide ‘Nonessential Spending Freeze’ effective – 03/24/20
Developed a dedicated webpage within the Pulaski County website to host information on COVID-19 Coronavirus and be a one-stop repository for facts, information and local updates regarding the situation www.pulaskicounty.org
Declared by Resolution a ‘County Day of Prayer’ in Response to COVID-19 on Sunday, March 29, 2020
Temporarily closed all community conference rooms in the NRV Business Center until April 17, 2020 and have closed the facility to the public and are limiting access to only the Business Center’s tenants and their escorted guests effective – 03/18/20
Temporarily closed all public access to the Pulaski County Communications Center effective – 03/17/20
Suspended business travel for all county employees to within a 40 mile radius until April 17, 2020 effective – 03/17/20
Temporarily closed the public libraries until further notice effective – 03/17/20
Temporarily closed the PSA office in Dublin to walk-ins and will ONLY be using the drive-thru window to serve Public Service Authority customers effective – 03/17/20
Temporarily suspended all Parks & Recreation games, activities and programs effective - 03/14/20
Temporarily closed all Pulaski County recreation facilities effective – 03/14/20
Temporarily closed the Pulaski County Welcome Center effective – 03/14/20
Focusing the County’s custodial services on routine disinfection of public spaces effective – 03/14/20
Engaged Pulaski County’s Emergency Operations Center Management Team
Engaged Essential Positions for Operations Procedures to identify all essential personnel that are critical to the provision of essential operations in preparation for an organization-wide closure.
Spacing out chairs in the Board of Supervisors meeting room to better accommodate the public while promoting social distancing.
Sent letter to Governor and state legislators for inclusion of funding for the Economic Development Administration in any requests for federal assistance to support disaster recovery for our business community.
Developed new County Employee Policies in direct response to the Coronavirus Response Act – Leave & Pay Entitlement adopted on 03/23/20 and effective – 04/01/20

Pulaski County Administration will continue to work with our applicable partner agencies to closely monitor, evaluate and react as needed and will communicate to the public accordingly.

COVID-19 Employee Information

COVID-19 Training Attestation

NRV Health District Vaccination Information

Visit the Vaccinate.virginia.gov to sign up for your free COVID-19 Vaccine.

Vaccine FAQs

New River Valley Public Health Task Force Releases Working Smart. Working Safe. Guidebook

The guidebook outlines promising practices for small/local business operations as they transition to re-opening in the age of COVID-19 following the expiration of the Governor’s Executive Order 53

New River Valley Guidebook for reopening your business in the age of COVID-19.

Additional Information:

Bookmark the CDC webpage for rapidly developing updates, including about international travel precautions, restrictions & instructions after return from travel at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html