NASHVILLE, Tenn (WTVF) — The biggest concerns surrounding COVID-19 are for our elderly and those with serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease. Nursing homes and senior living facilities in the mid-state are taking steps to protect the most vulnerable.
The Tennessee Department of Health tells Newschannel 5 long-term care facilities already have protocols and processes in place for infection control, and has also issued multiple messages to Tennessee health care providers including long-term care facilities.
Staff at Charter Senior Living Center in Hermitage says they've been taking the needed steps for about a month. The CDC has listed a series of guidelines for long-term care facilities and staff at Charter Senior Living Center say they've been in daily contact with the state's health department.
"We have stepped up our infection control measures, yes like everybody else we’re wiping our surfaces with bleach combination and water, we’re encouraging everybody to wash their hands, we’re encouraging everyone to sneeze on a tissue," Wanda Palumbo, executive director with Charter Senior Living Center in Hermitage said.
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and so far there are seven confirmed cases in Tennessee.
"We are going to be restricting visitor hours because we’re giving them a questionnaire as they come in. 7 if you’ve been exposed are you traveling, do you have any symptoms," Palumbo said. "Something like this or any kind of regular flu right now would really jeopardize a lot of their lives."
Staff are wiping down everything from the walls, walkers and even wheelchairs as well as posting a sign at the entry way asking visitors to reschedule their appointments if they feel sick.
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See all our coronavirus coverage here
COUNTY-BY-COUNTY CASES IN TENNESSEE
What is COVID-19 (a.k.a. the new coronavirus?)
According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. Examples include the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV)and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. COVID-19 stands for "Coronavirus disease 2019," which is when this strain of the coronavirus was discovered.
What are the symptoms?
The CDC says patients confirmed to have the 2019-nCoV reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Or at least two of the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
At this time, the CDC believes symptoms could appear as soon as two days after exposure, or as long as 14 days.
Prevention
The CDC is recommending "common sense" measures such as:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not 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.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
