Sunshine Care Covid-19 Statement
The World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a Pandemic on the 11th March 2020, Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Since the release of this information, we have at Sunshine Care ensured that our Pandemic Policy and Procedures are robust, and our Business Continuity Plans are under constant review in preparation to the escalation of events that have happened and may still evolve.
Sunshine Care are keeping ourselves up to date with all current developments and guidance available concerning Coronavirus [Covid-19]. We are fully committed to protecting the health and welfare of all our colleagues and customers, working alongside and following advice from WHO, Public Health Authority, UKHCA, CQC Staffordshire County Council and local Health Authorities to maintain our service delivery and ensure that we are doing our up most to keep both our customers and colleagues as safe as possible.
Safe Staffing is paramount to our Business Continuity Plan and as such we will endeavor to complete all necessary Risk Assessments whilst our staff are in attendance to any customer whom has Covid-19 or is presenting any signs or symptoms. Infection Control is paramount to controlling the spread of the virus and as such full PPE will be worn at all times. [For further information on the use of PPE please see Sunshine Care Stafford policy and procedures for the use of PPE] Staff contact will be kept to a minimum and restricted to the same group of carers in attendance. All Employees of Sunshine Care are being tested for Coronavirus weekly to further safeguard our customers and our colleagues and results recorded and reported to the NHS Track and Trace system.
What to do to keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19
[Source World Health Organisation]
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching your face. The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).
- Maintain at least a 1-metre distance between yourself and others to reduce your risk of infection when they cough, sneeze or speak. Maintain an even greater distance between yourself and others when indoors. The further away, the better.
- Make wearing a mask a normal part of being around other people. The appropriate use, storage and cleaning or disposal are essential to make masks as effective as possible.
Here are the basics of how to wear a mask:
- Clean your hands before you put your mask on, as well as before and after you take it off, and after you touch it at any time.
- Make sure it covers both your nose, mouth and chin.
- When you take off a mask, store it in a clean plastic bag, and every day either wash it if it’s a fabric mask, or dispose of a medical mask in a trash bin.
- Don’t use masks with valves.
How to make your environment safer:
- Avoid the 3Cs: spaces that are closed, crowded or involve close contact.
- Outbreaks have been reported in restaurants, choir practices, fitness classes, nightclubs, offices and places of worship where people have gathered, often in crowded indoor settings where they talk loudly, shout, breathe heavily or sing.
- The risks of getting COVID-19 are higher in crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces where infected people spend long periods of time together in close proximity. These environments are where the virus appears to spread by respiratory droplets or aerosols more efficiently, so taking precautions is even more important.
- Meet people outside. Outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor ones, particularly if indoor spaces are small and without outdoor air coming in.
- Avoid crowded or indoor settings but if you can’t, then take precautions:
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- Open a window. Increase the amount of ‘natural ventilation’ when indoors.
- Wear a mask
Don’t forget the basics of good hygiene:
- Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. This eliminates germs including viruses that may be on your hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and infect you.
- Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately into a closed bin and wash your hands. By following good ‘respiratory hygiene’, you protect the people around you from viruses, which cause colds, flu and COVID-19.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently especially those which are regularly touched, such as door handles, faucets and phone screens.
What to do if you feel unwell:
- Know the full range of symptoms of COVID-19. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Other symptoms that are less common and may affect some patients include loss of taste or smell, aches and pains, headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, red eyes, diarrhoea, or a skin rash.
- Stay home and self-isolate even if you have minor symptoms such as cough, headache, mild fever, until you recover. Call your health care provider or hotline for advice. Have someone bring you supplies. If you need to leave your house or have someone near you, wear a medical mask to avoid infecting others.
- If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention immediately. Call by telephone first, if you can and follow the directions of your local health authority.
- Keep up to date on the latest information from trusted sources, such as WHO or your local and national health authorities. Local and national authorities and public health units are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.
Useful Links:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Coronavirus/Home.aspx
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
