C.G.H. Medical Center issued the following announcement on May 22.
Not everyone who gets sick with COVID-19 needs to go to the hospital. Most people can be cared for at home.
If you find yourself taking on the role of caregiver for a loved one at home, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following advice for helping them get better while avoiding getting coronavirus yourself.
Provide basic support
Help your loved one follow their doctor's instructions for care and medicine.
If they have a fever, try to lower it with over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen.
Encourage your loved one to rest and drink a lot of fluids.
Go grocery shopping, fill prescriptions and get other items they may need.
Take care of their pets. Limit contact between your loved one and their pets.
Protect yourself from illness
Keep in mind that COVID-19 spreads through droplets created when someone talks, coughs or sneezes. Try to stay at least 6 feet away from your loved one at all times.
Set up a separate sick room for the person. It's also best if they have their own separate bathroom, if possible.
If you have to share space, make sure the room has good airflow. Open a window or turn on a fan to help remove respiratory droplets from the air.
Avoid sharing dishes, utensils, towels, bedding or electronics (such as a phone) with your loved one.
Dedicate a lined trashcan for the person who's sick.
Ask them to wear a cloth face mask when you are around. You should wear a cloth face mask yourself when in their presence too.
Wash your hands often. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Frequently clean and disinfect highly used surfaces, including doorknobs and light switches.
Ask the sick person to clean and disinfect their sick room and bathroom, if they can.
Monitor your loved one's health
Be sure you have the phone number of your loved one's doctor available.
Call their doctor if they continue to get sicker.
Watch for emergency warning signs such as trouble breathing, pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to stay awake, and bluish lips or face.
If an emergency arises, call 911 and let the dispatcher know your loved one has COVID-19.
Keep an eye on your own health
Monitor your health too. Keep an eye out for COVID-19 symptoms like fever, cough and shortness of breath.
If you are having trouble breathing, call your doctor or the emergency room. Tell them your symptoms, and let them know you've been caring for someone with COVID-19.
Maybe the one good thing about COVID-19 is that symptoms last only a few days for most people, and they usually feel better after a week.
Learn more about COVID-19 by visiting our Coronavirus health topic center.
Original source can be found here.
Source: C.G.H. Medical Center
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