By now, we don’t need to tell you that there are millions of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) across the U.S. Although there’s no need to panic, you should be taking measures to protect your residents. We’ll explain the virus and its symptoms, how to minimize transmission, and what to do if one of your residents believes they have it.
Symptoms and Transmission
While it’s not known exactly how a person contracts the coronavirus, the CDC has compared it to how similar viruses have spread. Transmission is thought to be:
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet)
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes
- By touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes
The coronavirus causes respiratory symptoms that range from mild to severe illness and can appear anywhere from 2-14 days after exposure. The most common symptoms are:
Health Tips for Your Community
Encourage your residents to keep themselves healthy. Here are a few other quick tips to share with your residents to minimize transmission and exposure to the coronavirus:
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, especially if your hands are dirty
- Cover your mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; throw the tissue away
- Disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in your personal space and in shared spaces you’ve either touched or are about to use
- Facemasks are only necessary for those who show symptoms of coronavirus
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
Additionally, there are supplies your community should offer to all residents and measures to take to limit transmission. These include, but aren’t limited to:
- Hand sanitizer and tissues at the entrance of all shared spaces, like on-site gyms, resident lounges, and the lobby
- Make antibacterial wipes readily available to residents and encourage them to wipe down regularly used surfaces
- Post flyers throughout your community reminding residents to wash hands thoroughly and throw away tissues to minimize the spread of germs
- Email residents with these tips and encourage them to come to you if they have any questions
Steps to Take for a Potential Resident Case
Advise residents to check themselves for symptoms of acute respiratory illness. If one of your residents believes they have contracted the virus, have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or is feeling sick, it’s important that they contact their healthcare provider immediately.
At the end of the day, your community can support and encourage residents to take care of themselves. Remind residents that they live in close proximity to others and that protecting their health is also helping protect their neighbor’s health.
What is the Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals. COVID-19 is a specific, novel virus that has been detected in more than 70 countries, including the U.S. Certain places, including China, Italy, and South Korea, have a higher number of confirmed cases. The U.S. currently has more than 120 confirmed cases, while more than 80,000 cases have been confirmed in mainland China.
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