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How to Protect Yourself Against Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Workplace
Mar 04, 2020
The coronavirus has been sweeping the nation and the news since late last year and for good reason. More than 93,000 cases have been recorded and more than 3,200 deaths attributed to the disease globally.
As of today, officials in the United States have confirmed nine deaths and more than 100 cases.
What is Coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
What Are the Symptoms of COVID-19?
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some people may experience aches, pains, nasal congestion, a runny nose, a sore throat, or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually.
How to Stay Healthy at Work
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly - Washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol) can kill viruses that may be on your hands.
- When washing your hands with soap and water, be sure to wash for at least 20 seconds (the time it takes you to sing ‘happy birthday’ twice). Do so especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Maintain your distance from someone who is coughing or sneezing - When someone coughs or sneezes, they release small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain the virus. If you are too close, you may breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease. Maintain a distance of at least 3 feet between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Try to avoid touching your face - Your hands touch many surfaces and can easily pick up viruses. Once your hands have been contaminated, the virus can be transferred to your eyes, nose, or mouth. The virus can then enter your body and make you sick.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask - If you are healthy, wearing a facemask is not recommended. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.
The Latest Updates
- The outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on January 30, 2020.
- Almost 130 people in 16 states are infected. At least nine people have died of the COVID-19 disease in the U.S., all of them in Washington state and most of them from a single nursing home in the Seattle area.
- The Trump administration vowed that any American can now be tested for the virus if a doctor deems it necessary.
- There are at least 100 confirmed cases in the country, along with nine deaths, but some experts have suggested that the real number may be considerably higher if testing is expanded.
- The American Chemistry Council's (ACC) Center for Biocide Chemistries (CBC) has compiled a list of products that have been pre-approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use against viral pathogens and can be used for the COVID-19 outbreak – here is the list.
You can stay up-to-date on COVID-19 by visiting the WHO and CDC
websites. If you are concerned that you may have contracted COVID-19 or are showing flu symptoms, please contact our immediate care facility in Dickinson
or Houston
as soon as possible. Please be advised, you should stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, call us
prior to visiting or seeking urgent care.
WellNow Health is an urgent care clinic serving the Dickinson, TX community. Click here to learn about why caregivers should get a flu shot!
The Department of Transportation requires individuals to undergo a specialized physical prior to their hiring. Learn about DOT Physical Examinations today!
WellNow Health can help you identify seasonal allergies versus COVID-19 symptoms. We offer online doctor visits and urgent care services in the Houston, TX area. Call our team today!
WellNow Health will help you to distinguish between flu symptoms and COVID-19 symptoms. We offer virtual urgent care services in the Houston, TX region.
When you get the flu shot, not only are you protecting yourself, but you are protecting others from getting the flu. This year, it's especially important to get the flu shot as we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The flu and COVID-19 are similar in that they are both respiratory illnesses. However, they are very different illnesses. The flu shot will not protect you from contracting COVID-19 , but it will help reduce your chances of getting the flu, ending up in the hospital, and needing to be hospitalized. Hospitals already have a lack of medical supplies due to the COVID-19 pandemic and if we all do our part to protect ourselves from the flu, we can help reduce the strain on health care facilities and conserve already limited supplies. There are a lot of misconceptions floating around about the flu shot and it's important to clear these up. Many people believe they will be more at risk of contracting COVID-19 if they get the flu shot. This is not true since both illnesses are different and one illness does not make you susceptible to contracting the other. On the other hand, many people think getting the flu shot will help reduce their chances of getting COVID-19. This is also incorrect as each illness behaves differently.
