WHAT IS COVID-19?

SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus, was first identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in 2019. There are many coronaviruses, all of which typically cause respiratory disease in humans. The World Health Organization (WHO) named the disease caused by SARS-CoV2 “COVID-19.” (To eliminate potential for confusion with a different coronavirus, SARS-CoV, these FAQs refer to SARS-CoV-2 as “the virus that causes COVID-19” or “COVID-19”). On March 11, 2020, WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic due to the number of countries affected by its rapid spread.

Symptoms

COVID-19 can cause mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Other symptoms may include muscle aches/pains, fatigue, and decrease in appetite. According to CDC, headache, confusion, rhinorrhea, sore throat, hemoptysis, vomiting, and diarrhea have also been reported, but are less common (<10%). Preliminary information suggests older adults and people with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems are at higher risk of severe illness from this virus. CDC believes that symptoms of COVID-19 begins between 2 and 14 days after exposure.

Monitor your symptoms. Emergency warning signs include:

Trouble breathing
Pain or pressure in the chest that doesn’t go away
Confusion or trouble waking up
Bluish lips or face

CALL FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY!

*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

Prevention

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to prevent exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of any respiratory viruses:

Everyone should:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before you eat. If soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Keep a distance of at least 6 feet to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Cover your cough and sneezes with a tissue and discard it in a closed container.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
Stay home when you are sick.

Get a flu shot for yourself and your family members. This will not prevent COVID-19, but it will prevent you from getting flu, keeping you as healthy as possible.

How does COVID-19 spread?

While the initial transmission is believed to have been animal-to-person spread, COVID-19 is now spreading from person-to-person. This is thought to occur via respiratory droplets produced when a person infected with the virus coughs or sneezes, the same way flu and other respiratory illnesses spread. The virus that causes COVID-19 can also be transmitted if people touch surfaces and objects with the virus on it.

Who is at highest risk for getting very sick from COVID-19?

According to limited research, older adults, people who have chronic medical conditions (e.g. high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and lung disease), and people who are immunosuppressed, are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19. Research also shows that there are racial and ethnic disparities in both COVID-19 diagnoses and deaths.

Can COVID-19 be treated?

There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19 and there is currently no vaccine. People infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. For severe cases, treatment in a hospital might be required. Call your healthcare provider to find out more about what care and treatment is available to you. There are several clinical trials occurring in the United States, as well as in New York State, using hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, azithromycin, and other therapies. As we learn more, we hope that these efforts will establish better treatment options. For more information about clinical trials occurring in NYS, please visit the Department of Health’s website for up-to-date information at https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home. The information above is from this NYSDOH website.

What is Baptist Health Nursing and Rehabilitation Center doing to protect its residents and patients?

Baptist Health Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (BHNRC) is following all of the guidance from the New York State Department of Health (our regulatory agency) and CDC with regard to precautions and procedures to keep residents and staff safe from infection
All employees must wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). At a minimum all employees and anyone entering the building must wear a face mask. BHNRC provides the PPE. Additional PPE is used for isolation and quarantine situations.
All employees entering the building must have their temperature taken and pass a screening test prior to reporting to work for each shift. This process must occur at least every 12 hours for employees working consecutive shifts.
Visitors have been restricted from entering the building, except for very limited reasons (end of life).
Social distancing (6 feet apart) must be practiced when possible.
Employees have been reeducated on proper hand hygiene and PPE use.
Residents and patients cannot congregate for activities and meals.
Quarantine and precautionary quarantine are implemented as appropriate for residents, patients and employees.
Suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 are reported to the NYSDOH.
Families and residents/patients are notified of any confirmed COVID-19 cases in the facility.
Any new admission or readmission is put on precautionary quarantine for 14 days.
All residents/patients are checked every shift for respiratory symptoms and temperature.
Residents/patients only leave the facility for medically necessary appointments.
Per a recent DOH requirement, staff will be tested two times per week to see if they are infected with COVID-19.