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
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog