COVID-19

VILLAGE OF MCADAM

146 SAUNDERS ROAD

MCADAM, NB   E6J 1L2

COVID-19 has been in the News and likely on your mind.  There is no immediate threat in the Village as cases to date have been isolated to major population centres in Quebec and further west.  However, to help you understand what COVID-19 is and how you may prepare should the Virus reach our community, Council has gathered some information that will hopefully be beneficial.  The information below has been taken from a Government of Canada Webpage and can be found in full at – https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html

1. What is COVID-19? – Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. They can cause diseases ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV). Some transmit easily from person to person while others do not. COVID-19 is a new disease that has not been previously identified in humans.

2. What are the symptoms? – Those with COVID-19 may have little to no symptoms. You may not know you have symptoms of COVID-19 because they are similar to a cold or flu. Symptoms may take up to 14 days to appear after exposure to COVID-19. Symptoms have included: fever; cough; difficulty breathing; pneumonia in both lungs and in severe cases, infection can lead to death. (Note that as of now, the highest-risk groups appear to be seniors and people with preexisting conditions like heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.  Avoid visiting people in hospitals or long-term care centres if you are sick.)

3. Is there a vaccine to protect against COVID-19? – No, there is currently no vaccine to protect against COVID-19.

4. Will this year’s flu vaccine protect me from COVID-19? – No, the flu vaccine does not protect against COVID-19.

5. What is the treatment for COVID-19? – For now, there is no specific treatments for most people with COVID-19. Most people with common coronavirus illness will recover on their own. Your health care provider may recommend steps you can take to relieve symptoms. Consult your health care provider as soon as possible if: you are concerned about your symptoms or you have a travel history to a region where severe coronaviruses are known to occur.  The sooner you consult your health care provider, the better your chances are for recovery.

6. How does COVID-19 spread? – Human coronaviruses cause infections of the nose, throat and lungs. They are most commonly spread from an infected person through: respiratory droplets that are spread when you cough or sneeze; close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands; and, touching something with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.

7. What is the incubation period of COVID-19? – Current information indicates that symptoms may present themselves up to 14 days after exposure to COVID-19.

8. How can I protect myself from getting COVID-19? – You can stay healthy and prevent the spread of infections by: washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands; avoiding close contact with people who are sick; coughing or sneezing into your sleeve and not your hands; and, staying home if you are sick to avoid spreading illness to others.

9. Should the general population in Canada wear masks to protect themselves from COVID-19? – If you are a healthy individual, the use of a mask is not necessary. However, if you are experiencing symptoms of an illness that spreads through the air, wearing a mask can help prevent the spread of the infection to others. The mask acts as a barrier and helps stop the tiny droplets from spreading around you when you cough or sneeze. Your health provider may recommend you wear a mask while you are seeking or waiting for care. In this instance, masks are an appropriate part of infection prevention and control measures that are put in place so that people with an infectious respiratory illness do not transmit the infection to others.

10. Can COVID-19 be transmitted when a person is not showing symptoms? – This question is under investigation at this time. While experts believe that spread from a person who is asymptomatic (not showing any symptoms) is possible, this is considered to be rare. What we do know for certain is that COVID-19 is most often being spread through close contact with a person who is showing symptoms (symptomatic cases).

11. Is there a risk of contracting COVID-19 if I touch a surface that was potentially contaminated? – In general, coronaviruses have poor survivability on surfaces, and are generally thought to be spread by respiratory droplets left behind after someone coughs or sneezes. For COVID-19, researchers are actively investigating to learn more about the ways that COVID-19 is transmitted. In the meantime, the best preventative measure is to regularly clean and disinfect surfaces that people touch frequently such as toilets, bedside tables, doorknobs, phones and television remotes with regular household cleaners or diluted bleach (1 part bleach to 9 parts water).

In addition to the above information from the Canadian Government:

1. It is recommended you be prepared and have at least a seven-day supply of the following items in your home: medical prescriptions; non-perishable food; water; toilet paper; paper towel; bleach or other disinfectants; pet food; facial tissue; fever-reducing medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen; and, personal sanitary items. This is not to say you need to rush out and get these products today, but as you do your shopping you might wish to buy a few extra items per trip.
2. Let your family, friends and neighbours know that you are making plans to prepare for COVID-19. Share your plan with them, as this might motivate them to make their own.  Talk to them about a buddy system in which you agree to check in on each other and run essential errands if you become sick.
3. If you experience symptoms associated with COVID-19 and wish to go to the Health Centre, please call first so staff can be prepared to meet you. You will be screened at reception for travel history and staff will proceed accordingly.  Staff will use one room for assessments and will wear masks, gloves, etc.   Flu and many viral illnesses are treated at home unless respiratory symptoms are severe (shortness of breath) – there is no medication staff can prescribe to cure a viral illness so they recommend over the counter symptom management – they can also advise people over the phone rather than have people show up and risk infecting more people.  Severe respiratory symptoms should be a 911 call in the event you require intensive care at the DECH ER.

Village Council