We have compiled questions we are commonly asked and placed them here in one convenient location.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, following these best practices can help slow down the spread of COVID-19.
A: The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus. The CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases. They include:
- Wash your hands often with plain soap and water. The CDC recommends washing 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 available, the CDC recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Learn more about safely using hand sanitizer.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering or non-surgical mask when around others. Find more information about how to select, wear, and clean your mask.
- Avoid crowds and practice social distancing (stay at least 6 feet apart from others).
Learn how to protect your family in this Consumer Update and the importance of getting your flu vaccine.
Coronavirus or COVID-19 can present with many symptoms or none at all. According the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms. If you are experiencing any or all of these symptoms, contact your healthcare professional.
COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. The COVID-19 is the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, Hubei province, China.
COVID-19 is a highly contagious, respiratory illness. It can cause a range of symptoms or none at all. It is particularly dangerous to vulnerable individuals with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
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COVID: What Have We Learned?
by Sonya Newton, Ozark Campus Administrator
As an administrator in healthcare, I can tell you many stories where God was faithful to carry me or deliver me through challenging times. This recent exposure to COVID in our facility would prove to be no different…
The Baptist Home in Ozark was able to keep the virus out for many months but was exposed in October 2020. As we listened to stories of all the facilities in our area being significantly impacted, we tried to learn and prepare. Screening of all staff before entering the facility by asking questions and taking temperatures was initiated in March 2020. We started ongoing random testing of staff in June thinking this would help us identify asymptomatic staff, but this still did not prove effective enough. Why?
The answer to this question, along with others, would be granted as we went through the process of battling COVID in our home. Here is what I have learned:
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