With reported cases of coronavirus rising in the United States and the Trump administration's declaration that the virus is a public health emergency, I want to assure you that beatitudes campus has been working diligently for the past weeks to prepare strategically for a potential spread of the virus.
We have assembled our emergency preparedness and operations teams and detailed plans for every area of the campus are being reviewed and put in place. This team is meeting regularly as information about the coronavirus is revealed. We are reviewing our infection control protocol, making an inventory of our supplies and stocking up.
Just as we do every day, we are reminding residents, staff and visitors on proper hand hygiene to avoid transmission of any disease or virus, and encouraging staff to stay home if they feel sick. We are paying special attention to our sanitation of common areas. Additionally, we are receiving information from the Arizona Coalition for Healthcare Emergency Response (AzCHER), Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and Maricopa County Public Health Department and will be working hand-in-hand with them as the situation evolves.
The leadership team and I are being kept informed daily also by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health organization and LeadingAge. We are also in close contact with our local government agencies as well as other life plan communities. We will keep you regularly informed about news of the virus and how the campus is responding to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. Please refer to the information from the World Health Organization below this letter – it tells you about the virus and reminds you of things you can do to help avoid transmission.
I promise you that Beatitudes Campus is well positioned to respond to an outbreak of the virus should it occur.
Please feel free to email [email protected] if you have any questions about the virus.
5 Things to Know
What is covid-19?
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new coronavirus, which has not been previously identified in humans. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses found in both animals and humans.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
In most cases, COVID-19 causes mild symptoms including a runny nose, sore throat, cough and fever.
It can be more severe for some people and can lead to pneumonia or breathing difficulties. In some cases, infection can lead to death.
How does COVID-19 spread?
COVID-19 appears to spread most easily through close contact with an infected person. When someone who has COVID-19 coughs or sneezes, small droplets are released and, if you are too close, you can breathe in the virus.
Who is most at risk?
We still need to learn more about how COVID-19 affects people. Older people, and people with other medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, appear to be more at risk of developing severe disease.
What is the treatment for COVID-19?
There is no currently available treatment or vaccine for COVID-19. However, many of the symptoms can be treated.
5 Things to Do
Wash your hands frequently.
Wash your hands with soap and water or, if your hands are not visibly dirty, use an alcohol-based hand rub. This will remove the virus if it is on your hands.
Cover your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue when coughing and sneezing.
Throw away the used tissue immediately and wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub. This way you protect others from any virus released through coughs and sneezes.
If possible, keep a distance of 1-metre between yourself and someone who is coughing, sneezing or has a fever.
COVID-19 appears to spread most easily through close contact with an infected person.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
Hands touch many surfaces which can be contaminated with the virus. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your unclean hands, you can transfer the virus from the surface to yourself.
If you have fever, cough AND difficulty breathing, seek medical care. Phone ahead and inform the health center when you will visit.
Always follow the guidance of your health care professional or national health advisories.
Get involved!
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