A basic introduction of what Covid-19 means

A basic introduction of what Covid-19 means

AN INTRODUCTION FOR FAMILIES OF PEOPLE LIVING IN CARE HOMES

WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS AND COVID-19?

 Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses - they cause infections ranging from the common cold to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)  Sometimes new variants of the coronavirus emerge - such as COVID-19  COVID-19 has the potential to spread widely as lack of immunity means everyone in the population is susceptible

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19

• Symptoms start 5 -11 days after exposure • Illness is similar to flu • Most people have fever and dry cough (rapid onset) • Most people have symptoms for 5 - 6 days • 20% have more severe illness – from day 7

- Shortness of breath - Lung inflammation - Pneumonia

HOW SEVERE IS COVID-19 ILLNESS?

Critical

• Many people have no obvious symptoms (30%); of those with symptoms 80% are mild

More severe disease in:

•

Severe

- Older people - Diabetics - Heart disease - Chronic respiratory disease - Immune compromised • Only 1% of cases fatal

Mild

- Highest in high risk groups

HOW DOES COVID-19 SPREAD?

• Exposure to respiratory droplets

- Coughing/sneezing droplets onto mouth, nose, eyes - Requires close contact (within 2m)

• Contact with respiratory secretions

- Hands - Contaminated surfaces, tissues - Transferred by touching nose, mouth, eyes with contaminated hands

PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL

1. Cough etiquette 2. Hand hygiene

3. Personal protective equipment (PPE) 4. Isolation of symptomatic residents 5. Cleaning

COUGH ETIQUETTE

• Cough etiquette

- Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) - Dispose of tissues directly into bin • Hand hygiene

- after contact coughing/sneezing

HAND HYGIENE IS ESSENTIAL TO PREVENT BOTH STAFF AND RESIDENTS ACQUIRING COVID-19

 Wash Hands for 20s at least:

- When you leave your house - When you get home - Every opportunity in between  Avoid touching surfaces, keep hands in pockets

 Do not touch your face  Use Hand Gel whilst out

OTHER TIMES TO WASH YOUR HANDS

Prior to

• Getting back home • Touching any surfaces • Getting off public transport • Handling Rubbish • Using the toilet • After taking a break After

• Leaving home • Preparing Food • Eating or drinking • Going to shops • Taking a break • Leaving shops

USING PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

 Rules on PPE can change at short notice so we are not providing specific advice on its usage, but here is some general information: • PPE will only prevent spread of infection if it is:  Used and changed at the right time  Accompanied by good hand hygiene  Cough etiquette is applied • Mobile phones should not be used whilst wearing PPE • Anybody planning on buying and using PPE should seek the latest Government advice before doing so.

PROTECTING YOUR HOME AGAINST COVID-19

You will do all you can to keep Covid-19 out of your home, but if you are going out shopping or taking deliveries there is still a risk, ease it by doing the following: • When you get home clean all surfaces that are touched prior to hand washing

• Wipe down deliveries with disinfectant

• Open windows to allow fresh air to circulate

• Use combined detergent/disinfectant solution for cleaning hard surfaces:  Use detergent to clean soft furnishing (if likely to be damaged by chlorine disinfectant)



Use disposable cloths

 Launder mop heads or use disposable

SHOWING SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19?

 If you develop symptoms of a flu-like illness then DO NOT leave your house:  Self-isolate at home for 7 days from onset of symptoms  If the rules of testing allow you to take a test arrange for one to be completed for you and your household.  If you are unsure or your symptoms worsen contact NHS 111

 If a member of your family develops symptoms

 Self-isolate at home for 14 days from onset of their symptoms  If the rules of testing allow you to take a test arrange for one to be completed for you and your household  If you are unsure or your symptoms worsen contact NHS 111