HARLINGEN — City officials are urging residents to follow health guidelines to prevent contact with the coronavirus.
Late Friday morning, Mayor Chris Boswell release the information recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“I want to take the opportunity to assure you that the city of Harlingen is monitoring this situation and is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Cameron County Health Department and our city health department to ensure the health and well-being of our citizens, staff and visitors,” Boswell stated in a press release.
“Based on the current information, health officials are recommending local communities should take the same basic prevention measures to protect against the coronavirus as we take to avoid the spread of common respiratory illnesses like the cold and flu,” he stated.
“While health officials continue to indicate that the risk for all Texans remains low, the city of Harlingen is working proactively by encouraging these simple but effective habits with our citizens, closely monitoring illnesses like the flu and ensuring our city buildings and parks receive more frequent and thorough cleanings, especially in high-traffic, high-touch areas.”
Officials are recommending residents:
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick and do not return to work or school until you have been fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medication such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen for at least 24 hours.
• Cover your coughs or sneezes with a tissue (not your hands) and then throw the tissue in the trash. If tissues are not available, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow.
