CORONAVIRUS BULLETIN Back to the COVID-19 basics

Now that it has been several weeks of learning about COVID-19 and preparing for its arrival in our community, it might be a good time to revisit some important information about the virus and how to keep each other safe.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness from the coronavirus family that can spread from person to person. Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

• Fever (greater than 100.4 degrees)

• Cough

• Shortness of breath

Other, less common symptoms have been reported, but these are still the main symptoms the CDC recommends watching.

How can I help protect myself?

You can protect yourself and others by using simple everyday preventive actions.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.

How can I prevent spreading illness to others?

Stay home unless you are considered an essential worker, buying groceries, or if you’re seeking out medical care.

Avoid public areas and do your best to distance yourself from others.

If you are sick, remain in self-isolation until at least one full day after your last symptoms.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily.

And again, wash your hands frequently.

What is the testing process?

Due to a very limited supply of testing materials, and because most people experience a mild to moderate form of illness, not everyone can be or should be tested for COVID-19. In order to be tested, you must first contact your primary care provider, urgent care, or the Panhandle Health District to receive a referral to our local sample collection facility. Our drive-through site collects a sample that is then sent to any of the laboratories that are accepting COVID-19 samples for testing. People who are awaiting test results should isolate themselves until they know their results.

Why are we continuing to practice social distancing?

Our combined effort will greatly slow the spread of COVID-19 in our area. Because it spreads from person to person or via hard surfaces easily, following the above guidelines for preventing the spread will greatly reduce everyone’s exposure to the virus. By slowing the spread from person to person, fewer people will be sick at any one time, allowing our health care resources to remain stable and in supply longer.

Yes, Kootenai County has seen relatively few cases of COVID-19. This is because the suppression methods put in place by our state government are working. We are seeing the results of diligent hand washing, staying home and away from others, and not gathering in groups. Keep up the good work to protect yourself and those you love.

Knowledge is power

Kootenai Health and the Panhandle Health District are actively working to share information about COVID-19 with our community. You can find the latest updates and ways to protect yourself at cdc.gov/covid19. If you have questions about COVID-19 or think you may have the virus, call the Panhandle Health District COVID-19 hotline at 1-877-415-5225.