COVID-19
AM I AT HIGHER RISK FOR SEVERE ILLNESS?
Some people may be at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes individuals with serious underlying medical conditions like hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, or lung disease.
People who are more at high risk from severe illness include older adults, HIV patients, pregnant women, asthma patients and confirmed COVID-19 patients.
HOW DO I PREPARE?
Here is what you can do to prepare your family in case COVID-19 spreads in your community.
1. Find Local Information
Know where to find local information on COVID-19 and local trends of COVID-19 cases.
2. Know the Signs and Symptoms
Become familiar with the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and learn what to do if you or a loved one symptomatic:
Stay home when you are sick
Call your health care provider’s office in advance of a visit
Limit movement in the community
Limit visitors
Take Steps for Those at Higher Risk
Know what additional measures those at higher risk and who are vulnerable should take.
Protect Yourself and Family
Implement steps to prevent illness (e.g., stay home when sick, hand washing, respiratory etiquette, clean frequently touched surfaces daily).
Create a Household Plan
Create a household plan of action in case of illness in the household or disruption of daily activities due to COVID-19 in the community.
Consider 2-week supply of prescription and over the counter medications, food and other essentials.
Know how to get food delivered when possible.
Establish ways to communicate with others (e.g., family, friends, co-workers).
Establish plans to telework, what to do about childcare needs, how to adapt to cancellation of events.
Stay Informed About Emergency Plans
Become familiar with the emergency operations plans for schools/workplaces of household members.
HOW DOES COVID-19 SPREAD?
Person-to-Person spread
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
1. Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
2. Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Can Someone Spread the Virus Without Being Sick?
People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).
Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus.
Spread from Contact with Contaminated Surfaces of Objects
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained, spreading continually without stopping.
The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas.
Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.
HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF?
CLEAN YOUR HANDS OFTEN
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
AVOID CLOSE CONTACT
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
HOW DO I PROTECT OTHERS?
STAY HOME IF YOU’RE SICK
Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.
COVER COUGHS AND SNEEZES
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
Throw used tissues in the trash.
Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
WEAR A FACE MASK IF YOU ARE SICK OR LEAVING THE HOUSE
If you are sick: You should wear a face mask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a face mask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a face mask if they enter your room.
CLEAN AND DISINFECT
Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
To disinfect: Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface. Options include diluting your household bleach. To make a bleach solution (mix 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water OR 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water). And when using alcohol solutions, ensure the solution has at least 70% alcohol.
WHAT IS COVID-19?
SYMPTOMS
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.
The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
1. Fever
2. Cough
3. Shortness of breath
4. Pink eye
5. Loss of taste or smell
If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately.
1. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
2. Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
3. Newly onset confusion
4. Bluish lips or face
AM I AT HIGHER RISK FOR SERVERE ILLNESS?
Some people may be at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes
People who have serious underlying medical conditions like:
1. Heart Disease
2. Diabetes
3. Lung disease
People who are at high ridk from severe illness
1. Older Adults
2. HIV Patients
3. Asthma and Confirmed COVID-19 Patients
4. Pregnant Women
HOW DO I PREPARE?
People who have serious underlying medical conditions like:
Find Local Information
Know where to find local information on COVID-19 and local trends of COVID-19 cases.
Know the Signs and Symptoms
Know the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and what to do if symptomatic:
Stay home when you are sick
Call your health care provider’s office in advance of a visit
Limit movement in the community
Limit visitors
Take Steps for Those at Higher Risk
Know what additional measures those at higher risk and who are vulnerable should take.
Protect Yourself and Family
Implement steps to prevent illness (e.g., stay home when sick, hand washing, respiratory etiquette, clean frequently touched surfaces daily).
Create a Household Plan
Create a household plan of action in case of illness in the household or disruption of daily activities due to COVID-19 in the community.
Consider 2-week supply of prescription and over the counter medications, food and other essentials.
Know how to get food delivered when possible.
Establish ways to communicate with others (e.g., family, friends, co-workers).
Establish plans to telework, what to do about childcare needs, how to adapt to cancellation of events.
Stay Informed About Emergency Plans
Become familiar with the emergency operations plans for schools/workplaces of household members.
HOW DOES COVID-19 SPREAD
PERSON-TO-PERSON SPREAD
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
1. Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
2. Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Can Someone Spread the Virus Without Being Sick?
People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest). Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus.
Spread from Contact with Contaminated Surfaces of Objects
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained, spreading continually without stopping. The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas.
Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.
Our service connects online healthcare experts with individuals, in their homes and other out-of-hospital locations to help them avoid a hospital stay – while decreasing patient suffering and the resulting strain on the US healthcare system.
HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF?
CLEAN YOUR HANDS OFTEN
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
AVOID CLOSE CONTACT
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
HOW DO I PROTECT OTHERS?
STAY HOME IF YOU’RE SICK
Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.
COVER COUGHS AND SNEEZES
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
Throw used tissues in the trash.
Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
WEAR A FACE MASK IF YOU ARE SICK
If you are sick: You should wear a face mask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a face mask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a face mask if they enter your room.
If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a face mask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a face mask). Face masks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
CLEAN AND DISINFECT
Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
To disinfect: Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface. Options include diluting your household bleach. To make a bleach solution (mix 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water OR 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water). And when using alcohol solutions, ensure the solution has at least 70% alcohol.