HJBR Mar/Apr 2020

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE I  MAR / APR 2020 35 Blanche LeBlanc, RN, MS Ed­ The Veuleman Group The number of people who have con- tracted the CoVID-19 is unknown. Some people are likely to have been infected by the virus, but not suffered severe enough symptoms to go a hospital, and thus have not been counted. The number of people who have contracted the virus could be far higher, as those with mild symptoms may not have been identified, but can still trans- mit the virus. Recovery depends on a good immune system. As always, immune suppressed and elderly are in the greatest danger of dying. (Remember: common flu global deaths are usually 400,000 per year). The WHO pres- ently estimates CoVID-19 mortality at 2 per- cent, which may be an overestimate. The WHO has declared that CoVID-19 has not reached the status of a pandemic. However, CoVID-19 has been found in 25 countries as of mid-February. Preventive measures have been initiat- ed for people traveling from China. Cruise ships, jetliners, and airports are screening and quarantining passengers from China who have signs or symptoms of the disease. The quarantine in American military bases have held passengers who traveled from China for up to 14 days (the incuba- tion period for this organism) to prevent the spread of the virus. In the U.S., we have had 13 cases of CoVID-19 (seven of those cases are in California.) The CoVID-19 virus contamination from person-to person is preventable. Prevention is important to stop droplet transmission of any virus. Droplets in the air from a cough or a sneeze can be controlled. Wearing a mask is not enough. (New research from MIT in- dicates that a sneeze can travel as far as 200 feet, and a cough can expel almost 3,000 droplets.). RECOMMENDATIONS Do not cover your cough or sneeze with your hands. Your hands are the number one way an organism is transmitted. However, any virus is easy to eliminate on your hands. Hand hygiene with soap and water or alco- hol sanitizer can prevent transmission of viruses, bacteria, and fungus. If you have a cough/sneeze, you should cough/sneeze into your elbow, the bend of your sleeve. (This CDC method to reduce infection is being taught in preschool class- es.) Use a tissue if you have drainage from a cough or a sneeze, and throw the tissue a way; do not reuse the tissue. Then wash your hands. Do not touch your face. Eyes, nose, and mouth are ways a virus gets into your body and respiratory system. If you wear a mask, the integrity of the mask is important. Asurgical mask is recom- mended. If the mask becomes wet, it should be discarded and replaced with a newmask. A wet mask will allow particles in. Discard the mask immediately and preform hand hygiene. WHO/CDC both recommend that you get “Recovery depends on a good immune system. As always, immune suppressed and elderly are in the greatest danger of dying. (Remember: common flu global deaths are usually 400,000 per year).” the flu vaccine. Get the flu vaccine if you have not gotten it, since flu TypeAand Type B are still your greatest risk. If you are sick, stay at home. Get medical care if needed. Don’t be the vector for illness. The likelihood of becoming infected with CoVID is remote. However, all should be alert to what is happening. Prevention is what we need, not panic. n Blanche LeBlanc earned an RN from Louisiana State University Medical Center, and MS Ed from Texas A&M, Corpus Christi. Certified in infection control (2000-2023), she heads infection control activities for Veuleman, LLC. She was (2010-2019) interim in- fection control practitioner, Galileo Search, LLC, posted in California, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, and Washington; manager of infection control (2005-2010) at 724-bed acute care Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Baton Rouge LA; certified infection control practitioner/occupa- tional health/workers compensation nurse at 550- bed acute care Tenet/Memorial Medical Center in New Orleans (1995-2005). She received the Cham- pion of Quality and Patient Safety Award (2008) and was president of River Region/APIC Chapter (2009-2011).