Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory infections. These can range from the common cold to more serious diseases. Other coronaviruses include MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus which originated in Hubei Province, China. Symptoms can include fever, coughing, sore throat and shortness of breath. The most effective way to prevent this virus is through good hygiene practices which we will outline and discuss in further detail below.
How it spreads
The virus can spread from person to person through close contact with an infectious person, contact with droplets from an infected persons cough or sneeze and touching objects or surfaces like doorhandles or handrails that contain droplets from an infected person and then touching your mouth or face.
Symptoms
Symptoms of COVID-19 range from various types of mild to more severe illnesses where some can recover quickly and others may become ill just as quick. People who have the virus may experience the following:
- fever
- cough
- sore throat
- shortness of breath
You can use the symptom checker if you are concerned you may have COVID-19
Who is most at risk?
The people most at risk of getting the virus are:
- travellers who have recently been overseas irrespective of where
- those who have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with the virus
- people aged 65 years and older with chronic medical conditions
- anyone with a compromised immune system
firstcall HEALTH’S Commitment
Given all of the communication in the news and media expressing how uncertain we all are about the future transmission of this virus, firstcall HEALTH’S commitment is to it’s staff and the patients, residents, school students, visitors and contractors they come into contact with when attending shifts. Continue to follow all of the infection control methods being given to you and ensure that you are following the protocols and directions given at each health service you are attending.
We have and will continue to do all we can to educate our staff regarding good hygiene practices, social distancing where this is possible and recognising the symptoms when they are present. We ask that you do not attend to work with even the mildest of symptoms and risk the contraction of this virus to yourself and others.
We have many resources available and will link as many of them for you as possible below and update them accordingly.
Prevention and Protecting Yourself
Slowing the spread of this virus is critical to the community. We can all be a part of slowing the spread by following good hand hygiene and infection control practices wherever we are, washing our hands frequently, covering our coughs, putting tissues straight into the bin, avoiding as much as possible touching eyes, nose and mouth and regularly cleaning used surfaces and objects whether at home or at work.
Masks have not been proven to be effective unless you are unwell and this obviously will assist in the prevention of spreading the virus to anybody else. There is little evidence suggesting that the wearing of masks in public contributes to the prevention of spreading this virus.
Clients In Need, Health Checks & Infection Control Assistance
We understand that COVID-19 has in some way changed us all and the processes we follow day to day may now be very different. Should you require the following services, we have staff skilled and ready to assist you in your time of need.
Health Checks to be conducted. We have nurses available to assist with pre screening of temperatures and any other checks required prior to having staff enter your sites and/or facilities.
Infection Control Attendants. We have PSA’s and Allied Health Workers available to assist you with infection control maintenance and thorough cleaning of your sites and/or facilities.
Our Clients
