Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) If You Are at Higher Risk

Who is at higher risk?

Early information out of China, where COVID-19 first started, shows that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes:

Older adults

People who have serious chronic medical conditions like:

·         Heart disease

·         Diabetes

·         Lung disease

Get ready for COVID-19 now

Take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick

If you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age or because you have a serious long-term health problem, it is extra important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease.

Stock up on supplies.

·         Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.

·         When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often.

·         Avoid crowds as much as possible.

·         Avoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel.

·         During a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed.

Have supplies on hand

·         Contact your healthcare provider to ask about obtaining extra necessary medications to have on hand in case there is an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community and you need to stay home for a prolonged period of time.

·         If you cannot get extra medications, consider using mail-order for medications.

·         Be sure you have over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies (tissues, etc.) to treat fever and other symptoms. Most people will be able to recover from COVID-19 at home.

·         Have enough household items and groceries on hand so that you will be prepared to stay at home for a period of time.

See also: Get Your Home Ready

Take everyday precautions

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Take everyday preventive actions:

·         Clean your hands often

·         Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, or having been in a public place.

·         If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

·         To the extent possible, avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public places – elevator buttons, door handles, handrails, handshaking with people, etc. Use a tissue or your sleeve to cover your hand or finger if you must touch something.

·         Wash your hands after touching surfaces in public places.

·         Avoid touching your face, nose, eyes, etc.

·         Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones)

·         Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.

·         Avoid all non-essential travel including plane trips, and especially avoid embarking on cruise ships.

See also: Protect Yourself

If COVID-19 is spreading in your community

Take extra measures to put distance between yourself and other people to further reduce your risk of being exposed to this new virus.

·         Stay home as much as possible.

·         Consider ways of getting food brought to your house through family, social, or commercial networks

If a COVID-19 outbreak happens in your community, it could last for a long time. (An outbreak is when a large number of people suddenly get sick.) Depending on how severe the outbreak is, public health officials may recommend community actions to reduce people’s risk of being exposed to COVID-19. These actions can slow the spread and reduce the impact of disease.

Have a plan for if you get sick

·         Consult with your health care provider for more information about monitoring your health for symptoms suggestive of COVID-19.

·         Stay in touch with others by phone or email. You may need to ask for help from friends, family, neighbors, community health workers, etc. if you become sick.

·         Determine who can care for you if your caregiver gets sick.

·         Watch for symptoms and emergency warning signs

·         Pay attention for potential COVID-19 symptoms including, fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you feel like you are developing symptoms, call your doctor.

·         If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. In adults, emergency warning signs*:

§  Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

§  Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

§  New confusion or inability to arouse

§  Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

What to do if you get sick

·         Stay home and call your doctor.

·         Call your healthcare provider and let them know about your symptoms. Tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help them take care of you and keep other people from getting infected or exposed.

·         If you are not sick enough to be hospitalized, you can recover at home. Follow CDC instructions for how to take care of yourself at home.

·         Know when to get emergency help.

·         Get medical attention immediately if you have any of the emergency warning signs listed above.

See also: What to Do If You Are Sick

What others can do to support older adults

Community support for older adults

·         Community preparedness planning for COVID-19 should include older adults and people with disabilities, and the organizations that support them in their communities, to ensure their needs are taken into consideration.

o    Many of these individuals live in the community, and many depend on services and supports provided in their homes or in the community to maintain their health and independence.

·         Long-term care facilities should be vigilant to prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19. Information for long-term care facilities can be found here.

·         Family and caregiver support

·         Know what medications your loved one is taking and see if you can help them have extra on hand.

·         Monitor food and other medical supplies (oxygen, incontinence, dialysis, wound care) needed and create a back-up plan.

·         Stock up on non-perishable food to have on hand in your home to minimize trips to stores.

·         If you care for a loved one living in a care facility, monitor the situation, ask about the health of the other residents frequently and know the protocol if there is an outbreak.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html