front line healthcare workers important role in COVID-19
A new respiratory disease COVID-19 is spreading all over the world. It has also reported cases from States and the Government is trying to control the spread of the disease. As a leading front line healthcare worker plays a key role in preventing its spread.
Role of front line healthcare workers falls in twofold:
- Spread key messages in the community about infection prevention measures.
- Take
steps to quickly detect and refer to suspected cases.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a disease
caused by the "novel corona virus" with common symptoms like fever,
dry cough, difficulty breathing some patients have pain and discomfort, runny
nose, sore throat or diarrhea. About 80% of confirmed cases recover without any
serious complications and one in six people who develop COVID-19 may
become seriously ill. In more severe cases, the infection can lead to severe
pneumonia and other complications that can only be treated in high-quality
facilities (district hospitals and above). This disease causes death in some
cases.
How COVID-19 spread?
COVID-19 is mainly spread by droplets produced by a person coughing or sneezing. This can happen in two ways:
Direct close contact (Person)
A COVID-19 can get an infection by staying in close contact with patients (within one meter of an infected person), especially if they have a cough or sneeze on their face.
Indirect contact (Surfaces)
The drop survives on surfaces and fabrics for several days. Therefore, touching any such infected surface or cloth and then touching someone's mouth, nose or eyes can spread the disease.
The incubation period
The incubation period of COVID-19 (the time between infection and symptoms) is 1 to 14 days. Some people become infected, but the disease can spread without any serious symptoms.
Who is most at risk of
infection?
People who have traveled to other countries in the last 14 days and their family members. People from other states if they are working with people who have traveled to other countries in the last 14 days. Contacts from family members and patients confirm COVID-19. People over the age of 60 and those with medical problems such as hypertension, heart problems, respiratory disease / asthma, cancer or diabetes are at higher risk of serious complications.
How to prevent COVID-19
Practice social distance:
- Avoid gatherings such as fairs, hats, gatherings at religious places, social functions, etc.
- Avoid direct droplet contact; maintain a safe distance at least one meter between you and other person, especially if they have symptoms such as coughing, fever, etc.
- Make sure to stay at home as much as possible.
- Don’t contact physically like shaking hands, holding hands or hugging.
- Don’t touch surfaces like table tops, chairs, door handles, etc.
Follow good hygiene
- Wash your hands frequently using soap and water at least for 20 seconds:
- Wash your hands when you come back home from outside or meeting other people, especially if they are sick.
- Wash your hands after sneezing, coughing and touching face.
- Wash your hands before eating, feeding or preparing food.
- Wash your hands before and after cleaning or using toilet, etc.
- When you cough or sneeze, your nose and mouth should cover with a handkerchief.
- Avoid spitting in public places to prevent the spread of droplets.
- You should not touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unclean hands.
- Ensure that surfaces and objects are cleaned regularly.
If you have symptoms or have travel history to other countries or states in last two weeks?
- The symptoms of COVID-19 and seasonal respiratory illness (common cold / flu) are similar.
- Not all people with these symptoms may have COVID-19.
- As a precaution, the following persons should be kept under house arrest for 14 days
- People who have traveled to COVID-19 affected countries / territories in the last 14 days
- People who have been in close contact with suspected / confirmed COVID-19 patients
- If the symptoms become severe, the person should visit a health facility after talking to you.
Role of front line health care workers in early detection and referral
- Compile an online list of all those who have traveled to other countries or other states within country in the last 14 days:
- Share name with your medical officer at PHC but not with others
- Teach them home remedies for the next 14 days
- Ask them to monitor for signs of COVID-19 symptoms themselves
- If they have symptoms, let them know and call the COVID-19 helpline.
Home quarantine instructions for the person
- Stay in a separate room in the house, with attached / separate toilet.
- Try to keep a distance of at least 1 meter from others
- Wear a mask at all times. If masks are not available, take a clean cotton cloth, wrap it in a double layer and wrap it around your face to cover nose and mouth.
- Use separate utensils, towels, bedding, etc. that should be cleaned separately
- Following should be clean everyday like floors, table tops, chairs, door handles etc.
Home quarantine instructions for caretaker person
- Keep a distance of one meter when entering the room
- Wear a mask or cover face with a double-layered cotton cloth
- Wash hands after leaving the room
- Wash hands before applying the mask
- Make sure it covers both the mouth and the nose and is not loose.
- Do not touch the mask from the front, only from the sides.
- Be sure to wash your hands after changing the mask
- Change the mask every 6-8 hours or when it gets wet
- If using a disposable mask, place a dustbin with cover and a plastic bag liner to dispose of the mask.
- If using cloth masks, you need to wash them daily
Responsibilities of front line worker
- Take all the precautions when talking in society, such as maintaining a safe distance, washing hands frequently before and after the home.
- If visiting or accompanying a suspect for any health facility, be sure to cover both mouth and nose with a cloth or mask that covers both.
- If holding community meetings or supporting outreach sessions, groups should not exceed 10-12 people.
- It is becoming increasingly difficult for people living in crowded areas or homeless people to maintain safe distances. Even then, you should inform them of the precautions and help them as needed.
- Monitor yourself for symptoms of the disease and if any symptoms occur immediately report to the medical officer.
- Make sure continue to take precautions for pregnant women, newborns and sick children, post-natal care, breastfeeding and nutrition counseling, TB and NCD patient precautions.
- Remember older people are more at risk, so be especially careful when visiting older people's homes. Continue to pay special attention to the underprivileged, as is normal practice.
- Also, as people trusted health workers, try to reassure them that while symptoms and high-risk individuals require more attention, prevention of others, preventative measures minimize the risk getting this disease.