There has been a lot of media coverage about the Coronavirus, which may be concerning to you and your family. For the most up-to-date information about this outbreak, we recommend these trusted sources:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The World Health Organization (WHO)
What is a Coronavirus?
A coronavirus is a family of viruses that frequently causes upper respiratory infections. COVID -19, was first identified in Wuhan City, China in late December 2019 and was passed from an animal to a human. Patients with COVID-19 have reported symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath 2 -14 days after exposure.
Who is at risk for COVID-19?
Currently, those at greatest risk of infection are persons who have had prolonged, unprotected close contact with a patient with symptomatic, confirmed COVID-19 and those with recent travel to China, especially Hubei Province.
How can I protect my family from this virus?
The CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Recommended strategies for Providers as Employers by the CDC:
Detailed information can be found at the CDC under guidance for employers https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/guidance-business-response.html
- Actively encourage sick employees to stay home
- Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illnesses are recommended to stay at home until they are free of fever, signs of a fever or any other symptoms for at least 24 hours.
- Don’t require a healthcare provider’s note, as healthcare offices may be extremely busy.
- Maintain flexible policies that permit employees to stay home to care for family members.
- Separate sick employees
- Employees who appear to have acute respiratory illness symptoms upon arrival to work or become sick during the say should be separated from other employees and be sent home immediately.
- Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees
- Place posters encouraging staying home when sick, sneezing etiquette and hand hygiene.
- Provide tissue and no touch disposal receptacles.
- Instruct employees to clean hands often, and provide adequate supplies to encourage hand hygiene.
- Perform routine environmental cleaning
- Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in workplace.
- Provide disposable wipes for employees to use for their common surfaces.
- Advise employees before traveling to take certain steps
Check the CDC’s Traveler’s Health Notices https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel for the latest guidelines and recommendations.
Information from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html