Covid- 19 Coronavirus Disease 2019
What is Covid-19?
COVID-19 is a respiratory condition caused by a coronavirus. Some people are infected but don’t notice any symptoms. Most people will have mild symptoms and get better on their own. But about 1 in 6 will have severe problems, such as trouble breathing. The odds of more serious symptoms are higher if you’re older or have another health condition like diabetes or heart disease.
Here’s what to look for if you think you might have COVID-19.
Researchers in China found that the most common symptoms among people who had COVID-19 include:
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Fever: 99%
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Fatigue:70%
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A dry cough: 59%
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Loss of appetite: 40%
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Body aches: 35%
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Shortness of breath: 31%
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Mucus or phlegm: 27%
Symptoms usually begin 2 to 14 days after you come into contact with the virus.
Other symptoms may include:
If you have any of these symptoms, isolate yourself. This means staying away from other people as much as possible, even members of your family. Stay in a specific “sick room,” and use a separate bathroom if you can. If you have symptoms and are at high risk of complications because of your age or other health conditions, call your doctor in addition to isolating yourself.
Know how it spreads
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There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
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The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
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The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
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Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
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Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
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These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
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Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.
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Governor Hogan Enacts Emergency Order to Expand Access to Child Care During COVID-19 State of Emergency
March 14, 2020
State Department of Education Issues Enhanced Guidelines for Day Care Facilities to Prevent The Spread of COVID-19
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today enacted an emergency order to expand child care access to child care for critical personnel during the state of emergency. This will help ensure that child care services are available for providers of health care, emergency medical services, and law enforcement personnel while schools are closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“Our state has taken major and unprecedented actions to protect the health, the safety, and the welfare of the people of Maryland,” said Governor Hogan. “As we continue to operate under a state of emergency, we are committed to doing everything in our power to maintain our essential services, including child care, especially for those who are on the front lines helping us combat this public health threat.”
As part of the directive she issued on Thursday, State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon announced that plans would be developed to ensure that the children of emergency services personnel have access to childcare throughout during a prolonged period of school closure. With this order, the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) will work with regional and local officials to quickly and effectively meet this directive, and stand up day care centers that adhere to public health guidelines.
Enhanced Guidelines for Child Care Programs
Additionally, Superintendent Salmon has issued enhanced guidelines for child care programs and day care facilities to follow to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“Every child care and day care provider in our state is essential to our mission of maintaining essential services in this time of crisis,” said Dr. Salmon. “We are providing these guidelines to make sure that child care programs can continue to operate while helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
Child care programs must take extraordinary precautions beyond what is normally recommended to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including:
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Mandating social distancing and keeping children in small groups (no more than 10 children clustered in an activity): absolutely no large group activities.
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Instructing staff to monitor for symptoms, and stay home if they are sick.
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Instructing parents/guardians to keep children home if they or any member of the household exhibits symptoms.
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Mandating frequent hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing one’s nose. Teachers should help young children do the same. If hands are visibly dirty, use soap and water to clean hands.
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Providing children with soap and water to wash hands; adults may use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, but this is very toxic to children.
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Advising persons to avoid touching their face (especially eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands).
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Increasing the early childhood program’s cleaning and disinfection routine to multiple times per day, while being careful with children in the near vicinity. Emphasizing cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
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Covering coughs or sneezes with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash and cleaning hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer (if soap and water are not readily available).
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Providing adequate supplies for good hygiene, including clean and functional handwashing stations, soap, paper towels, and alcohol‐based hand sanitizer.
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Restricting field trips.
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Restricting outside visitors and volunteers
Special processes beyond routine cleaning are not necessary nor recommended to slow the spread of respiratory illness. Programs should follow standard procedures for cleaning as recommended below by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Typically, this means daily sanitizing surfaces and objects that are touched often, such as bathrooms, water coolers, desks, countertops, doorknobs, computer keyboards, hands‐on learning items, faucet handles, phones and toys.The State of Maryland is continuing to operate under a state of emergency, and all levels of government are taking a comprehensive, collaborative approach to keep Marylanders safe.
MANDATORY TEMPERATURE CHECKS
Resource
https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/child-care-providers/office-child-care
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
https://governor.maryland.gov/coronavirus/
