The Orchards Newsletter April Newsletter 2020 | Page 7

Steps to help prevent the spread
of COVID-19 if you are sick
FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW: If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have it, follow the steps below to help
protect other people in your home and community.
Stay home except to get medical care Wear a facemask if you are sick
• Stay home: People who are mildly ill with
COVID-19 are able to recover at home. Do
not leave, except to get medical care. Do
not visit public areas. • If you are sick: You should wear a facemask
when you are around other people and
before you enter a healthcare provider’s office.
• Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care.
Be sure to get care if you feel worse or you think it is an
emergency.
• Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation,
ride-sharing, or taxis.
Separate yourself from other people in your
home, this is known as home isolation
• Stay away from others: As much as possible,
you should stay in a specific “sick room”
and away from other people in your home.
Use a separate bathroom, if available.
• Limit contact with pets & animals: You should restrict contact
with pets and other animals, just like you would around
other people.
ɞ Although there have not been reports of pets or other
animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still
recommended that people with the virus limit contact
with animals until more information is known.
ɞ When possible, have another member of your
household care for your animals while you are sick with
COVID-19. If you must care for your pet or be around
animals while you are sick, wash your hands before
and after you interact with them. See COVID-19 and
Animals for more information.
Call ahead before visiting your doctor
• Call ahead: If you have a medical
appointment, call your doctor’s office or
emergency department, and tell them you
have or may have COVID-19. This will help
the office protect themselves and other patients.
• If you are caring for others: If the person who is sick is not able
to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble
breathing), then people who live in the home should stay in
a different room. When caregivers enter the room of the sick
person, they should wear a facemask. Visitors, other than
caregivers, are not recommended.
Cover your coughs and sneezes
• Cover: Cover your mouth and nose with a
tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Dispose: Throw used tissues in a lined trash can.
• Wash hands: Immediately wash your hands with soap and
water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not
available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand
sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Clean your hands often
• Wash hands: Wash your hands often with
soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
This is especially important after blowing
your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to
the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
• Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not available, use an
alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol,
covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them
together until they feel dry.
• Soap and water: Soap and water are the best option,
especially if hands are visibly dirty.
• Avoid touching: Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
with unwashed hands.
Avoid sharing personal household items
• Do not share: Do not share dishes, drinking
glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or
bedding with other people in your home.
cdc.gov/COVID19
CS 316120-A 03/20/2020