COVID-19 Outbreak Background

SARS-CoV2 is the virus responsible for the COVID-19 disease that caused the outbreak in Wuhan, China. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern.” So far, thousands of people have died from the virus.

COVID-19 in the U.S.

Over 600 cases have been confirmed in the United States.

California is one of the states with confirmed cases, and many counties in California have at least one confirmed case.

Please continue to practice good health habits, such as washing your hands frequently throughout the day with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, covering your or sneeze, staying home when you are ill –except to seek medical care, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick. For more information call your provider’s office during normal business hours.

How It Spreads

The virus can spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of nearby people. It can then get inhaled into the lungs. This is similar to how influenza and other respiratory viruses spread.

Prevention

We want our community to stay safe from COVID-19.  The best way to prevent illness is to:

¨ Avoid close contact with sick individuals

¨ Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands

¨ Clean frequently-touched objects and surfaces with a recommended disinfectant

¨ Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds

¨ Avoid events with large crowds

If you or a loved one are experiencing COUGH, FEVER, and SHORTNESS OF BREATH, please call your providers office.

If you need to seek medical attention because of respiratory symptoms at either your health clinic or a hospital, CALL  AHEAD so that staff may prepare for your arrival.

What is self-quarantine?

People who have been exposed to the new coronavirus and who are at risk for coming down with COVID-19 might practice self-quarantine. Health experts recommend that self-quarantine lasts 14 days. Two weeks provides enough time for them to know whether or not they will become ill and be contagious to other people.

You might be asked to practice self-quarantine if you have recently returned from traveling to a part of the country or the world where COVID-19 is spreading rapidly, or if you have knowingly been exposed to an infected person.

Self-quarantine involves:

• Using standard hygiene and washing hands frequently
• Not sharing things like towels and utensils
• Staying at home
• Not having visitors
• Staying at least 6 feet away from other people in your household

Once your quarantine period has ended, if you do not have symptoms, follow your doctor’s instructions on how to return to your normal routine.

What is isolation?

For people who are confirmed to have COVID-19, isolation is appropriate. Isolation is a health care term that means keeping people who are infected with a contagious illness away from those who are not infected. Isolation can take place at home or at a hospital or care facility. Special personal protective equipment will be used to care for these patients in health care settings.

What is “flattening the curve?”

Flattening the curve refers to using protective practices to slow the rate of COVID-19 infection so hospitals have room, supplies and doctors for all of the patients who need care.

A large number of people becoming very sick over the course of a few days could overwhelm a hospital or care facility. Too many people becoming severely ill with COVID-19 at roughly the same time could result in a shortage of hospital beds, equipment or doctors.

On a graph, a sudden surge in patients over a short time could be represented as a tall, narrow curve.On the other hand, if that same large number of patients arrived at the hospital at a slower rate, for example, over the course of several weeks, the line of the graph would look like a longer, flatter curve.

In this situation, fewer patients would arrive at the hospital each day. There would be a better chance of the hospital being able to keep up with adequate supplies, beds and health care providers to care for them.

Lessening Coronavirus Impact

It’s important to know what to do if you feel sick. The coronavirus pandemic is making everyone aware of handwashing and protecting others from coughs and sneezes. Along with those essential steps, practices such as social distancing, and self-quarantine and isolation when appropriate can slow the rate of infection in a city, town or community.

The pandemic can seem overwhelming, but in truth, every person can help slow down the spread of COVID-19. By doing your part, you can make a big difference to your health, and that of others around you