COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, a coronavirus discovered
in 2019. The virus spreads mainly from person to person through respiratory
droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. Some
people who are infected may not have symptoms. For people who have symptoms,
illness can range from mild to severe. Adults 65 years and older and people
of any age with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk for severe
illness. People ages 5 years and older should get
COVID-19 vaccines to prevent getting and spreading the illness. Everyone ages 16 and older
can get a
booster shot.
Key Facts
The virus that causes COVID-19 can spread through respiratory droplets
when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks.
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after someone is exposed to the virus and can include
fever, chills, and cough.
Some people who are infected may not have symptoms, which is why everyone
should take
everyday preventive actions.
Anyone can have severe illness from COVID-19, especially older adults and
people of any age with underlying conditions.
Learn more about
variants of the virus that causes COVID-19.
All visitors must be screened before entry
In all CCH facilities, wearing a face covering is required for everyone
– patients, visitors, employees, volunteers, etc.
All visitors must be screened before entry.
Precaution Education for Visitors
COVID-19 is a contagious respiratory illness caused by infection with a
new coronavirus (called SARS-CoV-2). People with COVID-19 have had a wide
range of symptoms that may appear 2-14 days after exposure. These are
some of the possible symptoms of COVID-19:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Call 911 and seek emergency care immediately if you have trouble breathing,
persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to
wake or stay awake, and/or bluish lips or face.
Download the Precaution Education for Visitors flyer
here.
See How A Sneeze Can Launch Germs Much Farther Than 6 Feet
High-speed photography shows a sneeze can blast saliva and mucus well beyond
current social distancing guidelines, and tiny droplets can remain in
the air longer than thought.
Slowed to 2,000 frames per second, video and images show that a fine mist
of mucus and saliva can burst from a person’s mouth at nearly 100
miles per hour and travel as far as 27 feet. A turbulent cloud of droplet-containing
gas can remain suspended for several minutes, depending on the size of
the droplet.
What You Should Know About
Handwashing
Precautions-what are they?
What
Handwashing - #1 prevention. Wash hands often with soap and warm water
for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based
hand sanitizer.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Put your
used tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze
into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.
Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) when needed.
Why
Protect ourselves and others such as visitors, staff and patients from
getting sick.
What is needed to stay safe?
Wearing a face covering is required for everyone in all CCH facilities—patients,
visitors, employees, volunteers, etc.
Handwashing or sanitizing is required before and after visiting a patient.
Limiting the number of surfaces we touch.
Visiting only necessary departments to decrease unnecessary traffic in
halls or departments.
Excusing visitors during patient procedures that may spread disease to them.
Practicing safe social or physical distancing: stay at least 6 feet (about
2 arm lengths) from other people who are not from your household in both
indoor and outdoor spaces.