The President of ATC had a representative at the local County Commission meeting to hear from healthcare officials and learn what local decisions are being planned.

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Presenter:

Dr. Charles Ruiz, Southwest GA Health District Director

 

He updated the commission on actions being taken for the corona virus (COVID0-19)  in our region to educate and address our citizens.

 

What should people do to prevent the spread of the disease?

  •          Avoid known cases
  •          Wash hands frequently
  •          Cover your mouth when sneezing and coughing
  •          Stay at home if you are sick.

 

In the event of a pandemic, What can institutions such as schools do to prepare?

  •          Establish a sick leave/stay at home procedure
  •          Consider teleworking
  •          Encourage employees and students to get the flu shot, if you have not done so already. (A preventative method to keep the hospitals from being overwhelmed in the event of a pandemic)

 

Facts:

There are currently efforts underway for a vaccination for CODA 19.

CDC is the only facility that can currently test in Georgia, working on sharing kits with Department of Health

 

Resources for Healthcare Facilities can be found @ https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/healthcare-facilities/index.html

  •          Ideally, people who are asymptomatic or non-febrile are not of concern.
  •          If you are symptomatic but non-life threatening, he recommended call the healthcare facility in advanced to be screened.\
  •          In the event on coming in contact with someone who is exhibiting signs, facilities should rapidly identify, isolate, and proved supportive care.
  •          No confirmed cases in Georgia, there are confirmed cases in Florida.

Personal takeaways:

After hearing him speak, our institution can take some of the following steps…

  •          Ensure all soap dispensers are full and operable
  •          Set up mobile hand sanitizer stations near high traffic areas (i.e. building entrance doors, lab equipment, computer keyboards);
  •          Educate all stakeholders on the signs & symptoms, risk factors.
  •          Have a flu vaccine day, encouraging everyone to get vaccinated. We’ve partnered with Wal-greens in the past and had them come on campus to give free vaccinations.

 

Presenter strongly recommends visiting the CDC website for the most current information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Thanks: Lisa Stephens, Dean of Business/Healthcare Technology 

Keywords

COVID19