COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, is a new disease thought to spread mainly from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). It is spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and can include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• To learn more, please check out https://www.cdc.gov/cornavirus/2019-ncov/about/symptoms.html

If you feel you have COVID-19 symptoms, call your primary care professional or our COVID-19 Hotline at 903.577.SICK.

• Signage is currently in the health system entrances instructing patients/visitors to inform us immediately if they meet certain risk factors for COVID-19, including travel to endemic areas, close contact with a person who has confirmed COVID-19, and fever with lower respiratory symptoms.
• We are reinforcing our infection protection training for ALL of our caregivers – nurses, technicians, transports, EVS, Food & Nutrition and others – to continue to allow us to care for our communities without putting our staff at risk.

There are many sources of information on COVID-19 including state, national and international organizations. Key sources of information include:

Texas Department of Health

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/

State Department (DOS) Information on Travel

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations.html

When considering personal preparedness, it is important to keep a few points in mind. First, infectious disease experts are emphasizing coronavirus causes an illness similar to the flu.  While a vaccine for coronavirus is not currently available, everyday habits that protect us from common respiratory illness are even more important now.  We can all protect our own health as well as the health of our family members and community by remembering:

• • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
  • Stay home when you are sick
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue
  • Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often, using either soap and water or alcohol-based hand gel for at least 20 seconds
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

If you and your family are planning to travel in the coming days, take extra precautions while passing through airports and using public transportation. In addition to the above basic safety measures, you should pay attention to the following travel concerns:

• Stay up to date on travel health notices issued by the CDC. These notices could change on a day-to-day basis for different destinations.
  • Warning Level 3: CDC recommends travelers avoid nonessential travel to these destinations.
  • Alert Level 2: Older adults and those with chronic medical conditions should consider postponing nonessential travel.
  • Watch Level 1: Travelers should use usual precautions.
    
    
• Be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19, but keep in mind that many respiratory illnesses, such as influenza, can cause similar symptoms.
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
    
    
• As with any trips, make sure you have your doctor’s contact information handy and locate the nearest hospital.

Face masks are currently only recommended for people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. The CDC does not recommend wearing a face mask as a safeguard to protect from respiratory illness if you are well, unless your doctor recommends it.

If you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and have traveled to one of the countries that are currently listed on the CDC Warning Level 3 list or have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to feeling sick, seek medical care. Please call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and symptoms. They will advise you on the next steps.