Coronavirus 2020 (COVID-19) Letter to the Community

Dear Community Partners,

As your trusted health care provider, employer, and partner we want to provide you with updated information on the respiratory illness outbreak, COVID-19, that originated in Wuhan City, China in relation to our community. Overall, the public health response is multi-layered, with the goal of detecting and minimizing the introductions of this virus in the United States. For the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports person-to-person transmission in the US limited as there is little immediate risk of exposure to the virus. However, the situation is rapidly evolving. In our community we expect everyone to help respond to this emerging public health threat and there are simple things you can do to help keep yourself and others healthy:

• Stay home when you are sick. DO NOT visit the facility with any respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, etc.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If tissue is not available, cough into the bend of your elbow.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.

In addition, we are following the CDC recommendation by applying the strategies we use every day to detect and prevent the spread of other respiratory viruses like influenza. We want to assure you that we are monitoring the situation closely and working with State and local health agencies to reinforce our systems and structures that support well-coordinated plans in the event of an outbreak. We encourage everyone to monitor the CDC website as it provides the most current reference: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

As always, we appreciate your support and collaboration through enhanced hygiene efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents, staff, and families.

You can also stay informed through our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/oneidanursing/

Sincerely,
Grace Healthcare & Clinical Support Partners