A regional emergency management team designed to plan and respond to community-wide concerns includes representatives from the City of Moscow, Moscow Volunteer Fire & Ambulance, Gritman Medical Center, Latah County ID Disaster Services, University of Idaho, Moscow School District, Public Health-Idaho North Central District, and several others. The team maintains emergency action plans for everything, including potential concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus. Given the current concerns regarding the COVID-19 illness, this team is meeting daily to review and respond as new information becomes available.
At this time, the Public Health – Idaho North Central District notes that the risk of transmission within the general public remains low and recommends "Good Illness Etiquette" to avoid potential transfer of the virus. Tips include:
- Wash your hands often, especially after contact with surfaces touched by others.
- Make sure not to touch your eyes, mouth, or nose with unwashed hands.
- Avoid people who are ill.
- Stay home if you are ill, but contact your medical provider if your illness appears to be more severe than you would typically expect.
- Cover your cough with a tissue, and dispose of your tissue; if you do not have a tissue, cough into your elbow.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- If you are ill and need to be seen by your medical provider or be seen in a local medical facility, call ahead to let them know that you are sick and that you will be seeking medical care. The medical provider can suggest precautions to help reduce the spread of your illness to others at the facility.
- If you have been ill with symptoms including a fever, but are feeling better, please remain at home until your fever has resolved for 24 hours without the use of "fever-reducing" medications.
- More at http://idahopublichealth.com/district2/coronavirus/2020-3-2%20%20COVID-19.pdf.
The City of Moscow, as an organization, maintains plans to support continuity of operations and to support employee and community health. These plans include information to prepare staff, establish a state of readiness, and provide for continuity of the City’s business operations. Employees are taking additional actions to sanitize public areas and are encouraging those who are feeling ill for any reason to stay home.
Additional information and updates can be found at the following websites: