Combating COVID-19 in a nursing facilities

Preventing COVID-19 in the Elderly Home facilities

     The emerging of this new pandemic that spread so fast in the whole world, brought a big nightmare to the nation at large and also to the whole community. In early January 2020, the news spreads about the spread of unknown diseases which was said to originate from Wuhan, China according to the WHO- World Health Organization. The main cause of the disease was not yet known and has no scientific evidence of where it came from. 

     As the disease spreads so fast across the globe, WHO advised the nations to be aware of the danger of this COVID-19 disease, they immediately provide the Guidelines for Prevention and Preparation and all necessary information regarding the disease. In the middle of February 2020, the numbers of infected people around the world reach by hundreds of thousands, and the fatalities grew each day until now.

     At the time of this writing; the latest COVID-19 patient around the world raised to 7,533,177 people according to the Datum of WHO and the number of the death toll are 422,770 people. In Japan as of this day, the infected people are 17,382 and deaths are 924 while in the Philippines the ratio of 24,787 and deaths are 1,052. If anyone is interested to know more about certain parts of the world, you can view it at the Official WHO websites.

     I will make a separate blog for the information regarding the guidelines, but for now, I do encourage everyone this simple PROTOCOL that will save your life against the infection of COVID-19. I attached infographics provided by WHO and created in canva.com 

TO FIGHT COVID FROM SPREADING 

the following protocols are released to help all citizens to avoid and learn more about the danger of this pandemic.

１).    WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY

           Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water for at least 30 seconds （or you can sing happy birthday twice）.

２).　AVOID TOUCHING EYES, NOSE, AND MOUTH.

           A hand touches many surfaces and pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose, and mouth.

3).      MAINTAIN PHYSICAL DISTANCING

          Maintain at least 2 meters ( 6 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. 

4).      IF YOU HAVE FEVER, COUGH AND DIFFICULTY BREATHING, SEEK MEDICAL HELP.

          Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have all the symptoms above, seek proper medical care.

ADDITIONAL INFO:

When sneezing in public areas, it is best to sneeze on your forearm. 

Exercise self-quarantine if you feel that you have a symptom.

HOW DID THE NURSING HOME FACE THE CHALLENGE OF THE PANDEMIC?

      The immediate response that I had experienced in regards to this, was that I was not able to visit my husband at the nursing home because they stop the visitation until now. Since March till now. My husband is supposed to come home this June and I&m hoping that it will be granted. Last week I was able to visit him I needed to talk to him with our care manager. and I also took some of his winter stuff since it is already summer here in Japan. So, basically, I am hoping this week my husband will come home.

     In general, most healthcare and nursing facilities were exercising extreme caution when in the last few months. Hospitals are open but some establishments where still close. Many people lost their jobs and I am one of them. I waited too, long to find a new job place and hoping to find it now. The Government is doing their best to help citizens in coping with this pandemic.

    This may not be the end of this blog, because until now, no one is certain until when this disease will emerge. Let all hope for the better and let us all help each other.