What you need to know about COVID-19 on Sunday, March 15

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms of COVID-19 range from a very mild, cold-like illness to a severe lung infection. The most common symptoms include fever, fatigue and a dry cough.

A trip to the emergency room is necessary if anyone has difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion or inability to wake up and bluish lips or face, the World Health Organization says. A trip to the ER is not needed if you feel sick – but do not have the above.

WHO (The World Health Organization) says about one out of every six people who contract COVID-19 become seriously ill and develop difficulty breathing. North American Medicine is not yet sure if this statistic is accurate.

Older people, those with compromised immune systems and those with underlying medical problems such as high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes are more likely to develop serious illness.

The experience in Italy and China suggests that many people (up to 10% of those who need a hospital) may become critically ill and need an ICU or a respirator.

The Public Health Agency says the risk to the general public is low.

The coronavirus primarily spreads through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can also spread through close, prolonged contact, such as touching or shaking hands and it can spread from person to person via surfaces like door handles, mobile phones, tables and light switches.

There is no vaccine and no drugs to treat COVID-19. Hospitals can only help manage the symptoms.

What if I have symptoms?

If you are experiencing shortness of breath or other severe symptoms, you should go to the emergency room and look for special signs.

The government suggests that people with mild symptoms who have not left the country nor been in close contact with a confirmed case should, as has always been the case, stay at home.

These people are encouraged to call TeleHealth if it is available in your area with any further questions. Rather than going to an ER.

How do we get tested?

New testing protocols are going into effect this week. 2000 labs will begin testing. Priority is given to those over 65 with symptoms. The people with mild cold and flu symptoms can be assessed but may not get tested for COVID-19 at this time.

What is the current situation?

Public events are being cancelled, non essential businesses may close, many people are being asked or told to work from home and most schools are closed or have moved classes online. Sports events are cancelled. Gatherings of 250 or more people will be suspended where possible.

Although children do not get very ill they are effective spreaders of disease and as such children’s group activities are also cancelled. Many work places are shifting to work from home where possible or closing.

The current public health strategy aimed at slowing the potential spread of COVID-19 and buying time so the health care system doesn't get overwhelmed by a sudden spike in patients. This is the idea of flattening the curve. Keep us all separated so the virus spreads slower like the flatter graph - allowing health care to look after society.

The messages from the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak in northern Italy are chilling….hence our US response…

"Nurses with tears in their eyes because we can't save everyone … Every ventilator becomes like gold."

"And there are no more surgeons, urologists, orthopedists; we are only doctors who suddenly become part of a single team to face this tsunami that has overwhelmed us," he wrote.

Three professors from the University of Milan also sent a letter to the rest of Europe to "get ready," because 10 per cent of patients who test positive for COVID-19 end up needing intensive care.

"This situation is like a bomb that explodes, and you're simply overwhelmed by an incredible number of patients," another Italian physician, Dr. Giacomo Grasselli, told the CBS News Network this week.

How do I protect myself and others?

Public Health advises people to take the following measures to reduce the risk:

Wash your hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Stay at home if you are sick
Do not visiting others in hospital or a care home.
Cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze.
If you don't have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm.
Get a yearly flu vaccination.
Stay two meters or more away from other people. This is the reason behind many cancellations.
Self-isolate for 14 days if you're returning home from another country.

Travelers still face highest risk

As of Saturday, March 14, people returning from all travel abroad are advised to self-isolate for 14 days, no matter whether they experience any symptoms. If these people start feeling symptoms, they are asked to stay away from other people as quickly as possible and call a doctor or OPH.

What if I have travel plans?

Chief Public Officer of Health said Sunday that if possible, Americans should postpone or cancel travel and avoid all cruises. Even a short trip to Florida is a risk that probably should be avoided.

International flights to the USA will be restricted to certain airports (13 of them).

The department of State has issued COVID-19-related travel notices for China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Spain.

Scary Thoughts

Several U.S. states, including New York, Washington, and Florida, have declared states of emergency because of COVID-19. The President has declared a National State of Emergency. National resources, portable hospitals and public domain rules to commandeer private space (like a Mall or a Universities or a Hotels) for treatment of patients is now a reality. Consideration of Covid-19 specific Asylum hospitals is underway. Domestic travel may be cancelled. Bars and restaurants may be closed.

We should not panic because the virus is still of low risk to most of us - but those of us with significant disease will have a scary illness - and we all have to prepare so that they can get the care they will need.