Background
- Deadly Respiratory Virus
- Coronavirus & Rhinoviruses are common causes of “common cold” but this strain of coronavirus has never been encountered.
- Infects Humans and animals such as bats, cattle, cats
- Human to human transmission appears to be the main source of transmission now.
- Develop respiratory illness that quickly progresses to
- Bilateral Pneumonia
- Respiratory Failure
- Multiple Organ Damage
- Death
- There is NO CURE
- There is NO VACCINE
- It’s a new strain so no one likely to have immunity as at now
- Spread is through “droplets” ( airborne transmission not confirmed yet)
- Incubation period is 2 to 14 days. There are people with the virus who do not have symptoms
Initial Symptoms/Presentation
- Headache
- Fever
- Sore Throat
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Shortness of breath
General Ways to Protect People
- Limit non-essential travel
- Screening at ports of entry
- Avoid crowded areas
What Can Individuals Do
- Stay healthy/improve your immunity by exercising and eating healthy ( 1 in 5 people infected get severe disease)
- Seek professional care when ill
- Avoid close (not less than 3 feet away) contact with people coughing, sneezing.
- Wash hands with soap and water frequently. Use alcohol-based sanitizers when available.
- Do not touch your eyes, nose and lips with contaminated hands or other body parts.
- Disinfect likely contaminated surfaces, door handles etc included.
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue and discard or cough into the curve of your elbow but NEVER into your hands
- Beware of people “shaking their handkerchiefs” close to you
- Avoid eating (or contact with) sick or wild animals or ones of suspicious origin
Workplace Ethics
- Screen for fever at entry points ( with a non-contact thermometer)
- Have handwashing areas at entry point/preferably non-touch hand sanitizer
