News Flash

NEWS RELEASE
Office of the Mayor
March 12, 2020

With two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Forsyth County, Mayor Allen Joines announced that the city is taking additional measures to slow the spread of the disease within the community and within the city workforce.

Effectively immediately, city departments have been instructed to cancel all non-essential city-sponsored events that involve public participation.

All business travel for city employees outside the county is canceled unless otherwise authorized by the city manager or one of his assistants.

The city has stepped up its routine for sanitizing city facilities, especially door handles and other surfaces that come in frequent contact.

To further slow the spread of the disease in the community, Joines said he is supporting Gov. Roy Cooper’s request that the organizers of any event expected to draw more than 100 people cancel their plans.

At this point, no city employee has tested positive for the virus. However, the city learned Thursday of two employees who have been directly or indirectly exposed. Both went into self-quarantine as soon as they learned of their exposure. One employee was exposed to two people who have tested positive for the virus. The other employee has a child who was exposed to someone with the virus and who is exhibiting symptoms.

"Our situation in Winston-Salem is rapidly evolving," Joines said. "It is imperative that every citizen immediately begin practicing those measures that can slow the spread of the disease. And I urge those who are most at risk, including the elderly and those who have compromised immune systems, to take extra precautions."

Specifically, you should:

• Stay home if you are sick.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, and for at least 20 seconds each time.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Do not reuse tissue after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.

More information, including links with guidance for businesses, employers and schools, is posted on the website for the Forsyth County Public Health Department, co.forsyth.nc.us/PublicHealth/.

Additional information about COVID-19 is posted at CDC.gov.