advice for the early stages of the covid-19 pandemic
This blog post is guest written by CenterLight’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hena Siddiqui.
The Coronavirus outbreak has been all over the news.
2019 Novel Coronavirus is a virus identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. Early on, many of the patients in the outbreak in Wuhan, China reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. However, a growing number of patients reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, indicating person-to-person spread is occurring. At this time, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people.*
The risk of contracting Coronavirus is low unless you traveled to affected countries, or had direct, prolonged contact with someone who traveled to these countries. However, it’s always recommended to be diligent in recognizing how you are feeling and consulting a medical professional if you think you may be getting sick.
You may begin by asking yourself the following questions:
Did you recently travel internationally?
Did you come in contact with someone who recently traveled internationally and was ill?
If you answered “yes” to one or both of the questions above, are you experiencing the following symptoms?
Fever | Cough | Shortness of Breath
If your answer is yes, you must contact your doctor right away. CenterLight participants can let their nurse know, or approach any member of the Interdisciplinary Team.
Preventing Coronavirus
It has recently been announced that there are suspected cases in New York. These cases are not yet confirmed, and all individuals who are being tested recently traveled to China. This makes it less likely to become affected by Coronavirus by simply being in crowded areas such as the subway. However, it is important to take precautions, such as:
Observe proper hand hygiene
Make sure you wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds after going to the bathroom, when you get to your destination after taking public transportation, after coughing or sneezing, and before touching food.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth without first washing your hands.
When feeling sick or being around sick people
It is the time of year when a lot of people get the flu, coughs and colds. The World Health Organization recommends maintaining at least 3 feet distance between yourself and other people, particularly those who are coughing, sneezing and have a fever.If you are experiencing any signs of being sick, make sure to see your doctor immediately. Stay home if you are sick to make sure you get the rest you need and avoid infecting others. In addition, you should cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, and promptly throw away any used tissues in the trash.
Other Precautions
If you or someone in your household is sick, it is good practice to disinfect all surfaces of your home with a cleaning product.
There is no specific treatment for Coronavirus
If you traveled to China or other affected countries and are experiencing symptoms listed above, make sure you seek immediate medical treatment.
CenterLight Teamcare is committed to providing accurate health-related information to help individuals live well, stay healthy and make well-informed healthcare decisions. Information in this material is strictly educational. We recommend that users consult with their doctor regarding their care. If you would like to learn more about CenterLight Teamcare, please call: 1-877-212-8877 (TTY 711), 8AM - 8PM, Monday - Friday. Representatives or message service also available on weekends.
H3329_2020_BLOGCoronavirus Approved 03042020
Last updated February 18, 2020
about the writer
Dr. Hena Siddiqui has been working at CenterLight for many years.