CLAY COUNTY – The nation’s focus is flattening the curve of coronavirus and Emergency Management Service Director John Ward said social distancing is the best way to do that.

As of Wednesday, there currently are four confirmed cases of the virus in Clay County, which is quite low all things considered, but as anyone keeping up with COVID-19 knows, that could change in a matter of days. If Clay County residents can continue to wash their hands, stay home from work when sick, and keep their distance, it could help flatten the rise of the infection.

“The biggest thing we’re pushing for right now is the social distancing,” Ward said. “We really need folks to take this seriously. We need people to wash their hands and we need them to stay away from large social gatherings.”

Ward said it’s important for everyone to follow these guidelines. While children and younger people aren’t necessarily at a risk for death if they come down with the disease, people over the age of 65 are at risk, not to mention those of any age already immuno-compromised. We have to reduce younger people from spreading it to older people or those at risk, Clay County Florida Department of Health administrator Heather Huffman said.

Ward warned students out of school as a result of the virus shouldn’t use the free time as an excuse to hang out with friends or go to gatherings. He said the same applies to those working at home. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ original recommendation regarding gatherings was no more than 1000 people. That number soon dropped to 250 and then 50 with DeSantis’ warning against any gathering with numerous people.

Huffman said it’s important that anyone who feels sick in any way stay home.

“If there’s a fever, a cough or anything really, just stay home,” Huffman said. “Do not come to work if you’re sick.”

Fever is the No. 1 indicator, Huffman said, and a dry cough or shortness of breath is a strong sign that you may have the virus. She said there’s a lot of other sickness going around too right and some telltale signs that you may be sick with something other than COVID-19 is aches and pains, coughing and sneezing. She said those symptoms are likely that of a cold or flu.

If you think you might have the virus, Huffman said to call the county’s call center for it at (877) 252-9362. It’s available all seven days from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You will be asked to explain your signs and symptoms and then be told about your next steps.

Huffman said going to the emergency room shouldn’t be your first step.

“Emergency rooms shouldn’t be your first step if you have a sickness like this,” Huffman said. “That’s more for cardiac arrests and other immediate emergencies. You should always refer to your primary care physician before an [emergency room] for a situation like [COVID-19].

“What we don’t want is someone bringing [the virus] into a hospital so it’s important that if you are going to a hospital, you call from the parking lot to let them know. Then, someone can assist you properly from there.”

This includes getting a mask and other making precautions to prevent the possible spread of it inside the building.

Ward said what’s most important right now is that people listen to accurate and qualified information. This includes the CDC, the Department of Health and the county’s EMS.

“There’s a lot of false information out there and that can do a lot of harm,” Ward said. “This is not a time to panic, but it is a time to prepare and do your part in helping to flatten the curve.”

Instead of buying a year’s worth of toilet paper, Ward and Huffman recommend buying enough supplies to last you two weeks. They said a self-quarantine would likely consist of 14 days and everyone needs to be prepared to live exclusively within the confines of their home for those two weeks. That means don’t talk to a neighbor and taking a walk in the neighborhood. Self-quarantine means isolation.

“I’d be remiss to not say wash your hands,” Huffman said. “Twenty seconds, warm water, sing your ABCs or Happy Birthday. Just make sure there’s friction and that you scrub. Couple this with limiting close contact with others.

“We’re ahead of the curve of where places like China were at this time [in the cycle] and we can continue to flatten the curve if we all pay attention and follow the guidelines laid out before us.”