BY: Bri Marin and Sarita Gorrela CICN, Infectious Disease and Infection Control You may be wondering if the 2020 COVID-19 aka (Coronavirus) is going
to make its way into your life somehow? The spread across the United
States is on the rise, so there is always that possibility. As a
Hospital, we must keep up with sanitation and virus/disease prevention
constantly, coronavirus or not. In the case the virus does make it into
your community, or God forbid your body, our team of sanitation and
infectious disease control experts, have compiled a list of protocols
for you to follow. Both as precautionary and well…already infected
measures. Transmission prevention guidelines are as follows: 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 Precautions at home: -Stay away from others: As much as possible, you should stay in a
specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should
use a separate bathroom, if available. -Limit contact with pets & animals: You should restrict contact
with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just like
you would around other people. Although there have not been reports of
pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still
recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals
until more information is known about the virus. -When possible, have another member of your household care for your
animals while you are sick. If you are sick with COVID-19, avoid contact
with your pet, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked,
and sharing food. If you must care for your pet or be around animals
while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with
pets and wear a facemask. See COVID-19 and Animals for more information. -Follow cough ettiquette, always cover your cough and wash your hands thoroughly after -Place the person infected in a mask when coming in contact with uninfected person and maintain at least 6 feet distance -Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; after
using the bathroom, before eating, and before and after blowing your
nose, coughing, or sneezing. -Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily in household common
areas (e.g. tables, hard-backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches,
remotes, handles, desks, toilets, sinks). -In the bedroom/bathroom dedicated for an ill person: consider
reducing cleaning frequency to as-needed (e.g., soiled items and
surfaces) to avoid unnecessary contact with the ill person. -If a separate bathroom is not available, the bathroom should be
cleaned and disinfected after each use by an ill person. If this is not
possible, the caregiver should wait as long as practical after use by an
ill person to clean and disinfect the high-touch surfaces. -Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.
Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning. If reusable gloves are
used, those gloves should be dedicated for cleaning and disinfection of
surfaces for COVID-19 and should not be used for other purposes. -For disinfection, diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol
solutions with at least 70% alcohol, and most common EPA-registered
household disinfectants should be effective. -People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home
during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home,
except for getting medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public
areas. Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis. Keep in mind, these precautions will not deem you immune to the
coronavirus or any other virus for that matter. They will however help
lower your chances of infection and help slow the spread of infection.
The more people that actively participate in these sanitation
guidelines, the slower the virus will spread and the quicker it will
eradicate. If you are experiencing any symptoms of the coronavirus or are
unsure, please don’t hesitate to seek immediate medical attention! UMMC
Hospital is offering free drive through coronavirus screening to all of
Houston and the surrounding areas.