January 4, 2007 Contact: Sue Baker
For Immediate Release 738-2000
*** Public Service Announcement ***
WARWICK – In keeping with the state Department of Health’s recommendation that Warwick schools and extracurricular activities be cancelled for today and tomorrow, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department is cancelling all youth activities at the pool and rink for the two days, Mayor Scott Avedisian announced.
“In light of the decision, out of an abundance of caution, to close the schools in Warwick, West Warwick and Coventry, it only made common sense to cancel youth activities that are sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department,” Avedisian said. “I do want to stress that these are precautionary measures and that no new cases have been reported in the City of Warwick.”
Avedisian reiterated the ongoing recommendations of the Department of Health that the general public use good hygiene practices in order to prevent the spread of and contraction of illnesses. These include the frequent washing of hands, use of alcohol gels and practicing good cough etiquette (covering one’s mouth during a cough or sneeze). These measures are extremely effective in preventing the spread of illness.
Avedisian also repeated the Department’s advice that people seek treatment from their primary care physician if they are exhibiting a combination of these symptoms for walking pneumonia: fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
For more information, log onto the Health Department’s website at www.health.ri.gov. The site will be posting daily updates, Avedisian said.
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