COVID-19 Archives - PBACO https://pbaco.org/category/covid-19/ Where Your Health Matters® Tue, 21 Apr 2020 19:52:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://pbaco.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/cropped-pbacologohighres-32x32.png COVID-19 Archives - PBACO https://pbaco.org/category/covid-19/ 32 32 Should I Be Tested For Coronavirus? https://pbaco.org/should-i-be-tested-for-coronavirus/ Sat, 18 Apr 2020 03:09:07 +0000 https://pbaco.org/?p=7887 You might have heard that access to COVID-19 testing has been expanded. As of March 27, 2020, testing capacity is still limited and testing criteria is largely determined by local and state health departments. Based on the latest CDC guidance and given the limited testing capacity available, we recommend prioritizing testing for those at [...]

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You might have heard that access to COVID-19 testing has been expanded. As of March 27, 2020, testing capacity is still limited and testing criteria is largely determined by local and state health departments.

Based on the latest CDC guidance and given the limited testing capacity available, we recommend prioritizing testing for those at highest risk, as detailed below. This includes the following:

  • Hospitalized patients
  • Healthcare workers
  • Patients in long-term care facilities
  • Patients 65 and older
  • Patients with underlying health conditions
  • First responders

…and have either of the following symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Cough or shortness of breath

While testing was previously recommended for someone who has been in direct close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, or for those who have recently traveled to an area of a known outbreak, that criteria is beginning to become less relevant as outbreaks emerge across the U.S.

These recommendations will continue to change as we learn more about the virus.

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]]> How Can I Protect Myself? https://pbaco.org/how-can-i-protect-myself/ Sat, 18 Apr 2020 01:28:45 +0000 https://pbaco.org/?p=7861 We recommend practicing good hygiene in the same way you would protect yourself from colds and the flu: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and if soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Avoid [...]

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We recommend practicing good hygiene in the same way you would protect yourself from colds and the flu:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and if soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Close contact is considered more than a few minutes within 6 feet of a sick person or direct contact like kissing or sharing utensils.
  • Stay away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily
  • Practice social distancing, avoiding crowded places or group events, or working from home if teleworking is an option for you.

If you are sick, you should stay home unless absolutely necessary, and wear a face mask while around other people and before entering a provider’s office if you have one. If you are not sick, you do not need to wear a mask unless you are caring for someone who is sick. Face masks are in short supply and should be saved for caregivers and people with upper respiratory symptoms.

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