Covid-19/Coronavirus, are you ready and prepared?

As of this morning (Monday), in the United States there are now 99 confirmed Covid-19 (Coronavirus) cases and there have been nine deaths. That number is up by four from the five reported deaths I read about two hours prior.

Coronaviruses are not anything new. In fact, Coronavirus is responsible for some of the most common types of viruses. The common cold, for example, is a Coronavirus as is the seasonal flu. Covid-19 is a new strain of Coronavirus which originated in Wuhan, China and is continuing to spread worldwide without any sign of containment.

We don’t know a lot about Covid-19 but research is working to come up with a vaccine. Here is what we do know:

• If infected, a person may be contagious before symptoms even start to develop, making it difficult or even impossible to control the spread of the virus.

• Symptoms are usually mild to moderate upper respiratory tract illness, similar to a common cold. Its symptoms include a runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache and a fever that can last for a couple of days.

• For those with weakened immune systems, the elderly and very young, there’s a chance of a much more serious, respiratory tract illness like a pneumonia or bronchitis. A humidifier or hot shower may help to temporarily alleviate these symptoms.

• Nobody knows how many people infected will have only very mild symptoms or none at all.

• It is believed that every person with Covid-19 appears to infect 2.2 other people, on average.

People with Covid-19 should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. In some severe cases, treatment includes care to support vital organ functions, the CDC says.

Some ways an infected person can transmit the virus to another:

• By coughing or sneezing

• Close personal contact

• By touching surfaces and depositing viral particles on them

• Through fecal contamination

I spoke with Ed Dzedzy, Lincoln County Public Health Administrator and Registered Sanitarian regarding procedures for Odessa’s local hospital and school district. He said that, “the hospital has and would follow their Infectious Disease Policy which includes isolating the patient as well as possible, followed up by medical care, and a diagnosis. If everything meets the CDC testing guidelines, labs are then taken and sent to the state lab. The turnaround for the test results is usually 2-3 days. If it became necessary the patient would be transferred to Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane to receive proper treatment and placed in isolation there.”

The schools are a little trickier situation because to close a school disrupts a lot of people’s lives – the student because they are used to being in school and the parents because they aren’t prepared to have the students at home. Our schools would basically follow the same protocols as the hospital; isolate the patient, follow up care, diagnose, track possible people been in contact with, if meets CDC guidelines coordinate testing and send to the state lab. Dzedzy explained that the risk of infection is still incredibly low and school would only be closed if absolutely necessary. The same goes with school sports; there will be no cancellations or closures unless absolutely necessary.

“Our best defense currently is public health and now is the time to start teaching it,” states Dzedzy. You can protect yourself and reduce your risk of infection by following these tips:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

• Cover your cough or sneezes by doing so into the bend of your elbow or a tissue

• Avoid physical contact with sick people

• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, stair banisters, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles) using a regular household detergent and water. ~If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent and water prior to disinfection. For disinfection, a list of products with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved emerging viral pathogens claims, maintained by the American Chemistry Council Center for Biocide Chemistries (CBC), is available at https://www.americanchemistry.com/Novel-Coronavirus-Fighting-Products-List.pdf Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products.

• Stay home if you are sick

• Limiting close contact with others as much as possible (about 6 feet).

• Consider telecommuting or working from home

• Speak with your family and have an emergency preparedness plan

• Be sure all your medications are stocked up and in supply. Discuss alternate medications in case of medication shortage

The National Institutes of Health’s top infectious disease chief Dr. Anthony Fauci said he believes the Coronavirus has “now reached outbreak” level, telling Americans not to panic but urging them to take the spread of the virus seriously.