Updates & Links

For accurate, up-to-date information on COVID-19, please visit the Florida Department of Health’s website http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention     https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.htm

                ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

•  Healthcare Providers Preparedness Checklist & Hospital Preparedness Tool

These resources are available online at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/preparedness-checklists.html

• Long Term Care Partners

Older populations and people with underlying health issues appear to be at increased risk for this virus. We believe it is important that long-term care facilities begin planning now and ensuring they have protocols in place for a pandemic scenario. Specific actions include:

• Criteria and protocols for closing units or the entire facility to new admissions when the pandemic virus is in the facility
• Criteria and protocols for enforcing visitor limitations
• A plan for cohorting symptomatic residents or groups
• An occupational health plan for addressing staff absences
• Plans for increased cleaning of common surfaces

The linked checklist is an excellent resource for long-term care and other residential facilities to assist them with pandemic planning. While the document references influenza, Coronavirus is a respiratory disease and most of the same activities apply. Link: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/pdf/longtermcare.pdf

Strategies to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/healthcare-facilities/prevent-spread-in-long-term-care-facilities.html

Nursing Home Infection Prevention Training – https://www.cdc.gov/longtermcare/training.html

• Patient Care, Transportation and Responder Safety Training Program

The Center for Domestic Preparedness has developed training for Coronavirus patient care, transportation and responder safety training program.     https://cdp.dhs.gov/

It is important to stay informed on the current situation. There are many ways to protect and mitigate the transmission into Florida, and we all have a part in these actions.

CDC recommends individuals and families follow everyday preventive measures:

• Voluntary Home Isolation: Stay home when you are sick with respiratory disease symptoms. At the present , these symptoms are more likely due to influenza or other respiratory viruses than to COVID-19-related virus.
• Respiratory Etiquette: Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw it in the trash can.
• Hand Hygiene: Wash 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 soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60%-95% alcohol.
• Environmental Health Action: Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces and objects