With the number of cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Minnesota growing, the City of Hopkins offers tips to residents prepare and stay safe.
Approximately 20 percent of the common colds we experience seasonally are coronaviruses. This viral family is nothing new, but over the years two strains have emerged that were more concerning. SARS and MERS had mortality rates of 9.5 and 34.5 percent, respectively. Fortunately, these did not become widespread and have been contained.
Unfortunately, we now have COVID-19, and it appears to be more easily spread and, therefore, harder to contain. Its origin is unclear and up for debate (as has been the quality of the data provided by China).
On a positive note, we can breathe a sigh of relief that our children are clearly not at significant risk. However, the same cannot be said about our older family members (being male, elderly, and especially having chronic ailments puts one at greatest risk). The biggest problem is this illness is going to look like a sniffle for many of us, so it’s easy for it to go unnoticed and unknowingly spread it.
So, what can we do?
Hygiene
• Washing your hands thoroughly (under water for more than 15 seconds) is always the best and most effective preventative measure
• Remind your kids to keep their hands off their face! Pathogens enter our body through the eyes, nose and mouth
• Don’t send your kids to school or the park when they may be contagious. For the common cold doctors, typically advise five to seven days of avoidance, but when kids feel better after two to three days, so many of us send them back to school. It’s therefore no surprise our flu seasons are long and challenging. With COVID-19 this practice needs to stop. Although our children may not be at significant risk, our beloved friends and families are.
Travel
• The CDC is advising against non essential travel to China and South Korea
• Until we know more, we would suggest restricting any travel outside of North America.
Testing
• Your local clinics do not have a reliable test for COVID-19 yet. Commercially available testing is on the horizon, but initial batches were faulty so there have been delays.
• Suspected cases are currently being referred to the department of public health for testing. The CDC is only advising testing for patients with cold symptoms who have traveled to China or have a known exposure to a COVID-19 patient.
Treatment
For most of us, COVID-19 will just look like a common cold. Currently there are no known specific treatments for COVID-19 other than supportive care.
What we should do if we develop cold symptoms (runny nose, fever, mild cough)
• Isolate
• See your doctor
• Treat fever with Ibuprofen and or Acetaminophen
• Address congestion with nasal saline, humidifiers, steam showers, vics, cough and cold remedies (as age appropriate)
• Hydrate.
If your cold moves into your chest, see your doctor to rule out pneumonia. COVID-19 mortality is generally due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and/or pneumonia.
Early supportive care will improve outcomes. Options include:
• Steroids to slow the immune response that can lead to ARDS
• Inhalers to improve lung function and ease breathing
• Antibiotics to address and or prevent secondary bacterial complications
• Inpatient care when extreme/necessary (diuretics, vents...).
Don’t forget there are other illnesses out there!
• If fevers are high see your doctor to rule out influenza - Tamiflu/Xofluza work best when started early (preferably <48 hours)
• If you have a red sore throat with or without fever or an upset stomach see your doctor to rule out strep.
Coronaviruses are typically seasonal, so we can hope that by the time it gets here, our weather warms, flu season ends and this virus burns itself out.
With that said, with it so widespread worldwide, there is a good chance it will become a seasonal threat, regardless. By then, we hope that a safe and effective vaccine will be available. Until then, we try to control spread and take care of each other.
Please DO NOT PANIC. For the vast majority of us, COVID-19 is just another cold.
For the most accurate information about COVID-19 visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
This is also a good time to review your readiness for many types of emergencies. The website www.ready.gov can help you prepare for a variety of situations. If you have questions, contact the Hopkins Fire Department at 952-548-6451.