Vicenza: Covid-19

From the United States Army Garrison Italy’s Website:

“Coronavirus Update”

(Red are regions with confirmed cases as of February 25, 2020)

From Col. Daniel J. Vogel, USAG Italy Garrison Commander: 

 Feb. 25, 2020, 6:30 p.m.

The U.S. Army Health Center Vicenza now has a phone tree line specifically for COVID-19 calls nested within the clinic's Call Center Appointment Line at DSN: 314-636-9000 (on post) or +39-0444-61-9000 (off post). If you have had close contact with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or returned from China in the past 14 days, press #7. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms such as a cough, the chills, or congestion and have questions about what to do, please press #1 to access the 24-hour nurse advice line.

Feb. 24, 2020, 7:00 p.m.  

The garrison is putting itself in a position to adjust as the situation changes around Italy. We will restore services with careful consideration of the surrounding environment and the recommendations of our host nation partners. As of this update, there are zero confirmed cases within the city of Vicenza, the Vicenza, Darby, or Ghedi military communities. Closure extended. All Vicenza Military Community (VMC) DODEA schools and activities, CDC, and CYS activities from Monday through Friday, Feb. 24-28. Closure extended. The fitness centers on Ederle and Del Din, AAFES post theater and chapel worship services from Monday through Monday, Feb. 24-March 1. The Army Health Clinic Vicenza is open will full services. The commissary will operate at normal operating hours Tues. Feb. 25. Trucks arrived today for restock. After a record day on Sunday, only freshmeat was sold out. The commissary has back-up option in the frozen section near the bakery grab and go. Meat there is flash frozen and lasts up to six months. There is a supply on hand. AAFES is not reporting any shortages. The manager has requested hand sanitizer and other disinfecting products. All trucks are expected to deliver as scheduled.  The VMC Community Prayer Breakfast scheduled for Feb. 27 is cancelled. The chapel is looking to reschedule at a later date. Garrison fingerprinting services will be closed from Tuesday, 25 February until Tuesday, 3 March. Following ACS programs have been cancelled: All play groups; Let's Move (Feb. 25); One Plate at a Time (Feb. 27); AER Kickoff (Feb. 27). The Thrift Store will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 25-26. Saturday's community clean up in Isola Vicentina is cancelled. It will be rescheduled.

Feb. 24, 2020, 1:30 p.m.

As a precautionary measure USAG Italy will close all Vicenza Military Community (VMC) DODEA schools and activities, CDC, and CYS activities, fitness centers on Ederle and Del Din, AAFES post theater and chapel worship services from Monday through Wednesday, Feb 24-26.  These actions are in response to a potential ongoing community transmission of the virus within the Veneto Region of Northern Italy and are aligned with our Host Nation's actions to protect our communities.  In addition, personnel are directed to limit any non-essential travel within following areas:  The Comune di Vo' Euganeo and Lombardy Region  As of 4 p.m., Feb. 23, there are zero confirmed cases within the city of Vicenza, the Vicenza Military Community, Darby Military Community, or Ghedi Military Community. As of 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 23, 2020, there are 17 cases of the Coronavirus in the Italian Veneto Region, and a total of 79 confirmed cases in Italy. As a precaution, we recommend you to stay close to home, minimizing interactions with crowds including malls, movie theaters, and restaurants.  Practice frequent hand washing with warm water and soap. 

If you:

1. Had close contact with a suspected or confirmed case of the Coronavirus OR traveled to China, AND

2. Are experiencing a cough, AND

3. Have a fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), STAY HOME, do not go to the hospital, and call 118.

If you do not feel well or are only running a fever, please call your health care provider.

Novel Coronavirus Facts:

The 2019 novel coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV, is a new respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The novel coronavirus is a new virus and part of a large group of viruses that infect people and while normally causing a mild respiratory disease - such as the common cold - it can potentially be deadly. Signs and symptoms of this coronavirus illness include fever, cold spells, cough, difficulty breathing, chills and muscle pains. Be advised that this is cold and flu season, and the coronavirus shares similar symptoms to both these illnesses.

* Person-to-person spreads mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread.

 * Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure

 * No vaccine or treatment but current mortality rate is low

 * Recovery for average healthy adult is 7-14 days

Preventive Measure Tips/Guidelines:

There are simple everyday preventative actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:

• Avoid seasonal influenza by getting your annual influenza shot from your healthcare provider.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Stay home while you are sick.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds OR use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Visit the following sites for the most updated information:

- World Health Organization

- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus FAQs (CDC FAQs)

- U.S. Embassy Update

- DoD Novel Coronavirus Resources Site

- Novel Coronavirus Interactive Display Map and Demographics

- Ministero della Salute

 ^ There are around 7,000 American Soldiers stationed at Vicenza (not including the thousands of American spouses, children and contractors working/living there.) ^

https://home.army.mil/italy/index.php/coronavirus-update?fbclid=IwAR3XQaHJKculnEoAkOt5nktfWrrSiQ-B30pkcd-RxnPRGXPtTbJzUilnL98

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019–20_coronavirus_outbreak_by_country_and_territory