We are monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak daily, and the health and safety of our referred caregivers and clients is our top priority. Our infection prevention practices are recommended by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
We have shifted our focus from mitigating risk to proactively preparing to care for clients with COVID-19. Our staff is focused on emergency preparedness, obtaining necessary PPE supplies to keep our caregivers safe, and following CDC recommendations and the latest travel guidelines protocol to safeguard and support our caregivers, clients, and community.
What is Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
- It is a new Coronavirus that was recently detected in Wuhan, China.
- Coronaviruses in general are a large family of viruses that typically circulate during cold and flu season and cause mild respiratory illness.
- COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person in China, and person-to-person spread among close contacts has been detected in several countries outside China, including recently, the United States.
How is COVID-19 spread?
- COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Person-to-person spread means:
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet)
- From respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can possibly land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby, be inhaled into the lungs, or land on surfaces that people touch.
- COVID-19 is an emerging disease and there is more to learn about how it is transmitted, the severity of the virus, and what will happen in the United States.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Symptoms are similar to other respiratory viruses and may include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breathe
How soon after exposure to COVID-19 do signs and symptoms occur?
Symptoms occur anywhere from 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.
What is the risk to me?
- For the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus at this time, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low. However, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to emphasize the importance of community preparedness, anticipating that there is potential for community spread to occur in the United States.
- Clinical staff currently working in hospitals where clients with COVID-19 are receiving care are being provided with education and support to prevent transmission.
- The CDC has placed very tight controls on the entry of people to the United States from China and other areas where person-to-person transmission has occurred.
What is ElderCare at Home doing to keep me safe?
- All referred caregivers follow an Infection Prevention Program that provides the highest standards of infection prevention practices as recommended by the CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
- All employees, independent contractors and staff members follow the infection control procedures found on the CDC website located here.
- ElderCare at Home has issued new procedures for employee travel-related concerns for guidance with managing potentially exposed employees.
