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Frequently Asked Questions
About Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
What is novel coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause diseases of varying severities, ranging from the common cold to more severe respiratory diseases. This is a novel (new) coronavirus because it is a strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans.
How is coronavirus spread?
Like other respiratory illnesses, such as influenza, human coronaviruses most commonly spread to others from an infected person who has symptoms through:
- Droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes;
- Close personal contact, such as caring for an infected person; and
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands.
What are the symptoms?
People who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 have reported symptoms that may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus:
- Fever
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
How is novel coronavirus treated?
There is no specific treatment for illness caused by a novel coronavirus. However, many of the symptoms can be treated. Treatment will be based on the patient’s condition. There is no vaccine for novel coronavirus.
How can I prevent from getting this novel coronavirus?
Activities that can prevent the spread of more common respiratory infections, like the flu, can be effective at preventing the spread of novel coronavirus, such as:
- Stay home when you are sick, except to seek medical care.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and help young children do the same. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick and with other people outside of your home
- Do not gather in groups.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve (not your hands).
How can I get tested for coronavirus disease?
There are a number of public and private options for coronavirus testing. For a full list of locations, visit dallascounty.org/covid-19/testing-locations.php or call your medical provider.
I have a confirmed or suspected case of coronavirus. What steps should I take to prevent this coronavirus from spreading to people in my home and community?
Here are some steps you can take to prevent the spread of the coronavirus:
- Stay home except to get medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas. Do not use public transportation, ride shares, or taxis. Follow your health care provider’s guidance for discontinuing home isolation.
- Separate yourself from other people in your home. As much as possible, you should stay in another room away from people in your home and use another bathroom.
- Wear a facemask. You should wear a facemask when you are around other people or pets and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
- Clean your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60 to 95% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid sharing household items. You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding, or other items with other people in your home. After using items, you should wash them thoroughly with soap and water.
- Monitor your symptoms. Get medical care quickly if your symptoms get worse. Call the doctor’s office or emergency room ahead of time and tell them that you have been evaluated, or are being evaluated for coronavirus infection.
Can animals become ill with or spread COVID-19?
There is no evidence at this time that animals play a significant role in spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Based on the limited information available to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is low. For other questions related to pets and companion animals, see this FAQ from the Texas Animal Health Commission.
About City Services
How do I apply for a building permit?
One may apply for all building permits, including uploading plans, by using the EnerGov customer self-service platform on cedarhilltx.com under Building Inspections.
How can I pay my water bill?
Customers may pay their water bills online, over the phone or by mail.
Online
Pay your water/sewer bill by credit card or debit card. You will need your account number from your monthly statement. For assistance, call the Utility Billing office at (469) 272-2931 during regular business hours.
Over the Phone
Utility payment may be made through our automated phone system by dialing (469) 272-2931. Please have your account number and credit card on hand. You may pay with a credit/debit card or check.
By Mail
Payments by money order or check may be mailed to the City of Cedar Hill, 415 Pisgah Church Rd Ste 374, Greensboro, N.C. 27455.
By Drop Box
You may place a check or money order for your payment in the drop box in front of the Government Center, the one inside Government Center and at the Alan Sims Recreation Center at any time. Do not place cash in any of the drop boxes. Contents of the boxes are picked up once per business day by 2 p.m. and payments made after the daily pickup will be received and posted the following business day.
Are there any changes to solid waste (trash and recycling) pick up?
No, trash, recycling, and bulk trash collection will proceed as usual.
How can I access library resources online?
The Zula B. Wylie Public "Virtual Library" is available to you from home! Your library card provides you access to many digital items and resources including e-books, audiobooks and magazines. If you do not have a library card, give us a call at (972) 291-7323 and our staff can issue you a digital library card.
Please tune in to the Library’s Facebook Page for Virtual Storytimes on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays at 10:30 am! Videos will also be posted on the Library’s website, www.cedarhilllibrary.com, to enjoy virtual storytime at your leisure.
I have a trial scheduled. Should I still show up?
In accordance with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Emergency Order, the Cedar Hill Municipal Court is rescheduling all defendants, jurors and witnesses scheduled for a hearing or trial from March 17, 2020 through April 15, 2020. You will receive a written notice from the Cedar Hill Municipal Court with a new date and time to appear.
For all other municipal court issues, please call (469) 272-2930 or send an email to court@cedarhilltx.com.
Can I pay my citation or warrant online?
Yes, please visit the Municipal Court page on our website, www.cedarhilltx.com, to pay a citation, warrant or submit a deferred disposition online.
How can I purchase a copy of a traffic accident/crash report?
One may purchase copies of traffic accident/crash reports online through our authorized vendor. Reports from July 1, 2016 through the current time are available. It generally takes 10 business days to have a crash report available for purchase. Please contact our records department at 972-291-5181 or via email at pdrecords@cedarhilltx.com if you need a report that occurred before July 1, 2016.
One may also use the Open Records Request procedure by filing a written request for the document. The cost for a crash report is $6.
How can I submit an open records request?
One may submit an Open Records Request online on the City Secretary’s Office webpage, email requests to openrecords@cedarhilltx.com, or fax an open records request to (972) 291-5307. For additional information, please contact the City Secretary’s Office at (972) 291-5100, ext. 1011.
How can I submit a public comment for a City Council meeting while the shelter in place order is in effect?
To submit public comments, visit cedarhilltx.com/publiccomment. All public comments submitted by 4pm the day of the City Council meeting will be provided to the City Council members and entered into record for the City Council Meeting.
Can I go walking, hiking or biking in the park, on a trail or in my neighborhood?
Yes, city parks and trail are open, but restrooms and playgrounds are closed, and water fountains are turned off. One should practice social distancing while going outside for exercise in a park, on a trail, or in their own neighborhood by staying at least six feet away from other persons to avoid the spread of the virus.
How can I access recreational programs in my home?
Check out the Cedar Hill Parks & Recreation Facebook page for various exercise classes and activity tips for all ages.
How can I reclaim, surrender, adopt, or foster a pet at the animal shelter?
The Tri-City animal Shelter & Adoption Center at this current time will be doing services by appointment. All applications and required forms are available on the the shelter’s website www.luvpets.org. Animals within stray hold and for adoption are available to view 24/7 online. To set-up an appointment with Tri-City or if you have any questions, please contact the shelter at (972) 291-5335 and email applications to tricities@cedarhilltx.com.