Coronavirus Updates

Coronaviruses are common causes of colds and respiratory tract infections. At the end of 2019, a new type of coronavirus began making people sick in China. You might hear the virus called COVID-19. Some of the first cases were diagnosed in people who had visited a market selling live seafood and animals.

When viruses spread from animals to people, it can take health experts a while to learn the details of the virus and how it spreads.

Experts are still investigating how COVID-19 spreads. In general, coronaviruses spread through droplets sent into the air when people cough or sneeze.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) causes a fever, cough, and trouble breathing. Symptoms are a bit like those of cold or the flu. The virus can be more serious in some people, especially if they are sick or have health problems. (See table above for more)

As status of this virus continues to evolve across our nation, the following information is intended to provide context to the rate of infection for COVID-19:

• 1 person out of 200 people who are exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual, will become COVID-19 positive (0.5% transmission rate in the general public)
• If you are in close contact with a person who is COVID-19 positive (such as living with a person who has tested positive), your likelihood of contracting the infection is 10%
• 80% of the population may experience mild symptoms, such as fever or flu-like symptoms that they treat at home
• 5% may seek medical care, such as visiting an Urgent Care or Emergency Department
• 5% may require critical care, meaning being admitted as an inpatient
• 1.6% of confirmed cases (confirmed cases representing between 5-10% of all infections in the community) will die
• There is an incubation period of 2-14 days, meaning the period between exposure to an infection and the appearance of the first symptoms, the average case being 2-8 days
• A vaccine is estimated to be developed in about 9-12 months

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6909e1.htm

The likelihood of exposure from public outings is a similar risk of exposure we experience every cold and flu season in our communities. Statistically, 1 person out of 200 people who are exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual, will become COVID-19 positive (0.5% transmission rate in the general public).

As always, it is important to remain vigilant in recognizing any significant symptoms—particularly for those with heightened risk, including:

• Individuals with pre-existing health conditions
• Seniors
• Those who are immunity compromised

If you are experiencing mild-general symptoms consistent with a cold or the flu:

• Stay home
• Care for yourself as you normally would for a cold or the flu
• Experiencing persistent fever, shortness of breath, or a worsening cough, contact your physician by phone.
• Experiencing significant symptoms, go to the emergency room.

Call your healthcare professional if you develop symptoms, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19.

• Consult with your Primary Care Provider
• Visit a local Urgent Care center
• Emergency Department – if you’re experiencing significant symptoms

As we all know, COVID-19 is present and being transmitted in the community. Our goal is to decrease transmission, similar to our strategy during all flu seasons. Since the majority of infections (80%) result in mild-to-moderate flu-like symptoms, treatment is supportive care as for any other viral illness.

Individuals with more severe diseases and other health problems may be most appropriate for testing. Should testing be necessary, it will be provided by a clinical professional. Testing will require a swab of the nose and throat (nasopharyngeal).

The Colorado Department of Public Health is continually updating testing information on this site: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/covid-19-testing

Isolation and quarantine help protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have a contagious disease.

• Isolation is if you're sick: Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
• Quarantine is if you're healthy but could become sick: Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.

If someone in your household (or someone in close contact) is symptomatic, please keep your children at home and engage in self-quarantine. The CDC website has more on quarantine and isolation.

No single population is more likely to get COVID-19 than another. Being of ethnic or racial descent from any of the highly infected areas around the globe does not increase the chance of getting or spreading COVID-19.

People who have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or people who live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread are at an increased risk of exposure.

No, there is no evidence that children are more susceptible. In fact, most confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported from China have occurred in adults. Infections in children have been reported, including in very young children. From limited information published from past Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreaks, infection among children was relatively uncommon. 

For information on risk, please see current risk assessment. Children should engage in usual preventive actions to avoid infection, including cleaning hands often using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, avoiding people who are sick, and staying up to date on vaccinations, including influenza vaccine.  Additional information on prevention measures can be found here (Prevention for 2019 Novel Coronavirus).

Limited reports of children with COVID-19 in China have described cold-like symptoms, such as fever, runny nose, and cough. Gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting and diarrhea) have been reported in at least one child with COVID-19. These limited reports suggest that children with confirmed COVID-19 have generally presented with mild symptoms, and though severe complications (acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock) have been reported, they appear to be uncommon. See more information on CDC Clinical Guidance for COVID-19.

There have been very few reports of the clinical outcomes for children with COVID-19 to date. Limited reports from China suggest that children with confirmed COVID-19 may present with mild symptoms and though severe complications (acute respiratory distress syndrome, septic shock) have been reported, they appear to be uncommon. However, as with other respiratory illnesses, certain populations of children may be at increased risk of severe infection, such as children with underlying health conditions.

There are currently no antiviral drugs recommended or licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for COVID-19. Clinical management includes prompt implementation of recommended infection prevention and control measures in healthcare settings and supportive management of complications. See more information on CDC Clinical Guidance for COVID-19.

Antibiotics can't treat viruses so they won't help with the coronavirus. Medicines for the flu don't work either because the coronavirus is different from the flu virus.

Children and their family members should engage in usual preventive actions to prevent the spread of respiratory infections, including covering coughs, cleaning hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and staying up to date on vaccinations, including influenza.  Additional information on prevention measures can be found here (Prevention for 2019 Novel Coronavirus).

1. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. There is currently no vaccine for the COVID-19 virus. The CDC recommends that people avoid all nonessential travel to China, Iran, Italy and South Korea. For the latest updates on travel recommendations visit: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.


 
2. Additionally, engage in recommended preventative measures:

• Clean your hands often.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

1. Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.
2. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
3. Wear a facemask if you are sick
   1. If you are sick:  You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.
      1. If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Wearing a face mask in public areas will not protect a healthy person from picking up COVID-19. In fact, wearing a face mask could increase the risk that you will touch your face with unwashed hands. However, if you are sick with a respiratory infection and are going to see the doctor, then wear a face mask to avoid spreading germs to others at the doctor’s office.
4. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
   1. To disinfect: Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface Options include:
      1. ○      Diluting your household bleach:
         1. ■    5 tablespoons or ⅓ cup bleach per gallon of water OR
         2. ■      4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
      2. ○      Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
      3. ○      Alcohol solutions (ensure at least 70% alcohol).
      4. ○      Other EPA -registered household disinfectants. Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g. concentration, application method and contact time, etc.)

• Stay home except to get medical care You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care. NOTE: all ahead before visiting your doctor If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.
• NOTIFY ASPEN ACADEMY and your places of work or other organizations/places you’ve frequented and do not send your child to school until the CDC recommended 14 day quarantine has passed to ensure that your child does not infect others at the school.
• Do not go to work, school, or public areas.
• Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
• Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home People: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available.
• Animals: Do not handle pets or other animals while sick.
• Wear a facemask: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) or pets and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then people who live with you should not stay in the same room with you, or they should wear a facemask if they enter your room.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can; immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.
• Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid sharing personal household items You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home. After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
• Clean your hands often Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables. Also, clean any surfaces that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them. Use a household cleaning spray or wipe, according to the label instructions. Labels contain instructions for safe and effective use of the cleaning product including precautions you should take when applying the product, such as wearing gloves and making sure you have good ventilation during use of the product.
• Monitor your symptoms
• Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening (e.g., difficulty breathing).
• Before seeking care, call your healthcare provider and tell them that you have, or are being evaluated for, COVID-19.
• Put on a facemask before you enter the facility. These steps will help the healthcare provider’s office to keep other people in the office or waiting room from getting infected or exposed.
• Ask your healthcare provider to call the local or state health department. Persons who are placed under active monitoring or facilitated self-monitoring should follow instructions provided by their local health department or occupational health professionals, as appropriate. When working with your local health department check their available hours. If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that you have, or are being evaluated for COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before emergency medical services arrive.
• Discontinuing home isolation:
  • Patients with confirmed COVID-19 should remain under home isolation precautions until the risk of secondary transmission to others is thought to be low. The decision to discontinue home isolation precautions should be made on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with healthcare providers and state and CDC.