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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