Rice Business Report April 2020 Edition Rice Business Report April 2020 | Page 6

Rice Business Report
April 2020
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is working closely with the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) in monitoring the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) that is caus-
ing an outbreak of respiratory illness worldwide
Hospitals, healthcare professionals, local public health, community leaders, and others can find re-
sources throughout this website to help them in their response to COVID‑19.
This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available. Check back
often for the latest details and what Texans need to know about COVID‑19
On March 19, 2020, Dr. John Hellerstedt, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Ser-
vices, declared a public health disaster in Texas, because COVID-19 “has created an immediate threat,
poses a high risk of death to a large number of people, and creates a substantial risk of public exposure
because of the disease’s method of transmission and evidence that there is community spread in Texas.”
What to Do If You Are Sick
Symptoms of COVID‑19 may show up 2‑14 days after exposure. The steps you should take if you think
you are sick with COVID‑19 depend on whether you have a higher risk of developing severe illness
Prevention of COVID-19
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID‑19. The best way to prevent infection is to take steps to
avoid exposure to this virus, which are similar to the steps you take to avoid the flu
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