DAYTON — Dr. Marc Belcastro, chief medical officer of Premier Health, is urging people not to panic in reaction to the news about the three confirmed cases of the coronavirus/COVID-19 in Ohio.
One of the main messages he wanted to pass along is for people to "have a heightened awareness of what your hands are touching."
Here's what he said to News Center 7 anchors Cheryl McHenry and James Brown in studio Monday:
Q: What would you say is the most important thing people need to do now and in the coming months if this spreads?
Dr. Belcastro: "Concern, but not panic and fearful and overreact. I think, on a personal level, continuing with really good hand hygiene, paying attention to what you're touching, continually either using the gels or soap and water is a very good idea. If you're sick, stay home and call your health care provider if you feel sick like you would need to be hospitalized "
Q: We are right in the middle of Spring Break travel plans. The U.S. State Department is warning against cruising and asking people to limit flying. Is this necessary at this point? Should people cancel plans? What should they do instead?
"If you do travel by plane or boat, you might want to be ready for disruption, to be held up somewhere.... I would go to Spring Break if you are going to drive to Florida. I wouldn't cancel that."
[University of Dayton basketball fans who are planning to travel to Cleveland for the men's NCAA Tournament -- where the Flyers are likely to be sent once the brackets are set Sunday night] "should go. I'm sure there'll be a lot of gel in their pockets. There will be stations out. If you can get in the habit of walking in crowded areas with your hands in your pockets, you're less likely to touch a surface you're otherwise likely to touch if you're waiting at a counter for food or something like that."
Q: Will a confirmed case in this area [the Miami Valley] cause disruption to business to schools? What should they be doing now to prepare?
"I don't think one confirmed case in our area would change any immediate plans. But what I do think is wise is for businesses and schools to think about, if there were a larger number of cases, how would they continue to operate and ask themselves questions like 'can anybody work from home? Can we suspend school for a period of time?' Making those plans now make making those decisions a little easier if they have to be made."
Q: Are people with similar COVID-19 symptoms already flooding our ERs?
"I wouldn't call it a flood." But this is flu season and there are a lot of people with upper respiratory symptoms. Remember, [the] coronavirus has been in bordering states for some time and borders are arbitrary lines. The message Premier Health is trying to get out is that "if you would not otherwise go to the emergency room or urgent care with cold and flu-like symptoms, I wouldn't go if you think you have [the] coronavirus, just to control the spread."
Q: What should people do if they have symptoms, if they may have been around a person infected or not around a person at all that's infected?
"If I came down with symptoms and knew I had been in contact with somebody in my current health, I would remain at home and take care of myself just like I would if I had cold or flu. If I felt like I needed to see a physician because of my condition, then I would call."
