COVID-19
A message to our Ways2Well patients:
General Prevention Tips
- Keep yourself updated on all the latest information, both general and local.
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live in your household.
- Avoid contact with those that are sick
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use Hand Sanitizer consisting of at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose, especially with unwashed hands.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, hand, or the inside of the elbow.
- Discard used tissues in an appropriate trash can.
- Immediately wash hands after you cough or sneeze. Disinfect with hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces on a daily basis. This includes doorknobs, keyboards, phones, sinks, desks, handles, light switches, and countertops.
- A Viral test reveals if you are currently infected, while an antibody test reveals if you had a past infection.
- Stay active
- Get plenty of sleep
- Try to maintain a healthy diet and nutrition
- Take steps to deal with stress and anxiety
- Stay connected to others, digitally if necessary
Masks
CDC recommends wearing masks in public settings around people who don’t live in your household and when you can’t stay 6 feet away from others. Wearing masks correctly and consistently provides the best protection and helps stop the spread of COVID-19 to others.
- Mask tips:
- Wear masks with two or more layers
- Wear your mask over your nose and mouth and secure under your chin. It should also fit securely against the sides of your face.
- Should be worn by those two years of age and older.
- Should NOT be worn by those under the age of two, by those who cannot remove the mask by themselves, and by those who struggle to breathe.
- Mask intended for healthcare workers such as N95 masks should be saved for healthcare workers.
- The effectiveness of gaiters and face shields is currently unknown and under evaluation.
- If you wear glasses, reduce fogging by finding a mask with a nose wire or a mask that fits tightly over the nose.
- Wash or sanitize your hands before putting on your mask and after taking it off.
- Avoid touching your mask once you put it on.
- Masks should be washed regularly.
Symptoms
Be alert for symptoms from yourself or others, especially if you are performing a task or are in a location where maintaining six feet of distance is difficult.
- Fever
- Chills
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Body or muscle aches
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Congestion
- Runny nose
- Loss of smell or taste
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Seek immediate emergency medical attention if you experience serious symptoms such as:
- Persistent pressure or pain in the chest
- Difficulty breathing
- New confusion
- Bluish lips or face
- Inability to wake up or stay awake
- Any other severe symptoms that occur.
If possible, alert your emergency medical center that the incoming patient may or may have Covid-19 before you arrive.
If you are sick
- Stay home except to get medical care.
- Get lots of rest and make sure you remain hydrated
- Take over-the-counter acetaminophen if needed.
- If severe symptoms or emergency warning signs present themselves, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
- Avoid public transit, taxis, and rideshares.
- Separate yourself from others in your home, including pets
- Stay in one room as much as possible
- If available, use a separate bathroom.
- Avoid physical contact
- Do not share personal household items such as drinking glasses, dishes, utensils, bedding, or towels.
- Wash these items thoroughly after use.
- Individuals that are at higher risk should avoid caring for those that are sick.
- Do not prepare food if you are sick.
- If living in close quarters, like a small apartment:
- All members of the household should act as if they are at higher risk.
- Members should only leave if absolutely necessary, including to pharmacies, grocery stores, or for medical care.
- Speak to your medical provider before discontinuing isolation.
Higher Risk Individuals and Underlying Medical Conditions
- The risk for severe cases of Covid-19 increased greatly with age.
- Those over 85 have the highest risk
- 8 out of 10 deaths have been in adults 65 and older.
- Certain underlying medical conditions have been shown to cause a higher risk of severe cases, regardless of the person’s age, including:
- Obesity
- Serious heart conditions
- Cancer
- COPD
- Immunocompromisation from a solid organ transplant
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Sickle Cell disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Other conditions that might but one at a higher risk include:
- Asthma
- Pregnancy
- Liver disease
- Smoking
- Neurological conditions
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Pulmonary fibrosis
- Immunocompromisation from sources such as HIV, blood or bone marrow transplants, immune deficiencies, or immune weakening drugs.
- High blood pressure
- Cystic fibrosis
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Thalassemia