The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) considers the Coronavirus to be a serious public health threat. It is important that you are aware of the disease and the efforts necessary to prevent its spread.
You can visit the websites for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the latest information on the status of the outbreak and what you should do to protect yourself and your family. Additional local information from Eagle County public health: Eagle County health officials step up precautions.
SYMPTOMS:
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. Symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you have visited China within the past two weeks and start to feel ill, call your doctor.
PREVENTION:
The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. There are simple actions you can take to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If you are sick, to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others, you should:
- Stay home except to get medical care
- Call ahead before visiting your doctor
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
TRAVEL WARNINGS:
CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to China and South Korea. CDC also advises that older adults and those with chronic medical conditions consider postponing nonessential travel to Iran, Italy, and Japan. Travelers should practice usual precautions when traveling to Hong Kong. If you plan to travel internationally, I encourage you to enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive important messages, alerts, updates, and travel advisories while you are there.
What should you do to protect staff, members, volunteers and visitors?
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has created a helpful list that you can download by clicking here. The list also includes the signposting of advice linked to staff sick leave.
Contingency Planning
This activity is worth considering if your staff, members and volunteers are unavailable. NCVO has helpfully signposted two documents to review from Zurich Insurance and the Charities Facility Management Group. Click here for more information.
During this time, you may want to review your business continuity plans. For business continuity planning resources, please refer to the CDC and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) websites:
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Experts have been working hard to understand this new strain of Coronavirus. Because new information is coming out every day, please visit the sites below to stay up to date.
The Centers for Disease Control provides updates on the virus and safety information for the public and healthcare professionals.
The Colorado Department of Health provides updates on the disease’s spread within the state.
The State Department provides a list of travel advisories for those who are planning to fly outside of the United States.