- People become infected generally by being in close contact with an infected individual (<6ft), and coming into contact with respiratory droplets
- Practice prevention of exposure to COVID-19 by:
- staying home except for essentials
- washing hands often with soap and water for >20 secs
- cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces
- wearing a mask if you are sick or to protect yourself from repeatedly touching your nose, mouth, face
- practice social distancing of — 6ft when out
- being especially vigilant to stay away from others is you are > 65 yrs. old or have underlying health conditions that put you at increased risk for severe infection
- keeping your immune system strong by sleeping 7-8 hrs per night, exercising regularly, and eating nutritiously
- Monitor yourself for signs of fever, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain/pressure
- If you are feeling ill with the above symptoms, isolate yourself from family members
- If you have a fever, acute respiratory illness, and are at high risk for a severe infection, call Hoag Urgent Care (8607 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine) at 949-557-0600 for a drive-up appointment/assessment/testing for COVID-19
- If you have trouble breathing, blue lips or face, new confusion, difficulty to arouse, or persistent chest pain or pressure, call 911 immediately
- Keep things in perspective and know the statistics (see cdc.gov for daily updates). Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home
- Of those with disease severe enough to lead to ICU admissions 78% had preexisting health conditions (per new CDC report). Of those hospitalized, but not requiring ICU, 71% had preexisting health conditions. Therefore, if you have no preexisting health condition, the odds are in your favor.
- There is no current medical treatment nor vaccine that has been approved for COVID-19 virus to date.