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Furniss (Proper Cornish) Limited are closely monitoring the outbreak of the respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. 

What is Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that usually cause respiratory illness. They include viruses that cause the common cold and seasonal flu, as well as more serious illnesses like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

The 2019 Coronavirus is referred to as a novel coronavirus.

What are the symptoms?

Signs of infection include high fever (>38ºC) together with one or more respiratory symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

Can the virus be passed on through food?

Experience with SARS and MERS suggest that people are not infected with the virus through

food.  So, it is unlikely the virus is passed on through food and there is no evidence yet of this

happening with the 2019 Coronavirus.  Coronaviruses need a host (animal or human) to grow in and cannot grow in food. Thorough cooking is expected to kill the virus because we know with SARS that a heat treatment of at least 30min at 60ºC is effective.

Coronaviruses are most commonly passed between animals and people and from person to

person. The source of the 2019 virus is believed to be animals, but the exact source is not yet known.  The virus is commonly passed on through direct mucus membrane contact by infectious droplets e.g. breathing in airborne virus from the sneeze of someone who is infected.  Investigations in China are continuing to identify the source of the outbreak and ways it can be passed on to people.

For further information see the link below:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Mitigating actions being carried out by Proper Cornish and Furniss

We have a dedicated team in place to monitor the situation carefully as it develops, and to mitigate any potential impact on our customers, colleagues and suppliers.

Our suppliers have been contacted to evaluate their status with regard this outbreak. We

have no reason, as yet, to suspect that future supplies are likely to be affected however we

remain alert for any developments.

As a precautionary measure, we are not permitting Colleagues to travel to high risk areas and will adopt a self-isolation approach as required.

We have minimised visits to our offices and are using other arrangements such as conference calls or telepresence to maintain communications, but limit physical interactions.

We are screening any visitors to our premises by means of a questionnaire which on completion is reviewed prior to any visit.

Strict hygiene practices continue to be in place for all.

Further information

The World Health Organisation is providing up to date information on the outbreak and health

advice to people via the following website link:

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019.

This position statement will be revised and updated as new information emerges.

Thank you for your continued support.