The MCA Foundation works hard to be a champion and facilitator of an improved, robust, and forward-looking healthcare industry for our region. Within this scope of work, we place value in the MCA and its campus being a medical hub for the community to use as a resource for education, healthcare, and research. For those people who might have concerns over the spread of the virus and how it will impact your day to day living and our community as a whole, we have gathered some reliable information from government and health industry sources for people to read and inform themselves on the next steps to take in this trying time, what to look out for, and what to expect in the near future.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. COVID-19 is the infectious lower-respiratory disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. This list is not all-inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
According to WHO, some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who get COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develop difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.
WHO reports people can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease spreads through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. If droplets land on surfaces, people can catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.
The World Health Organization says the risk of catching COVID-19 from someone with no symptoms at all is very low. However, many people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms, especially at the early stages of the disease. It is, therefore, possible to catch COVID-19 from someone who has, for example, just a mild cough and does not feel ill.
According to the CDC and WHO, there is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
The CDC and the WHO recommend the following steps in protecting you and your loved ones from contracting the virus and in preventing the spread of the disease
The CDC advises calling your doctor, if you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
Also, taking these steps if you are sick can help prevent the disease from spreading to people in your home and community.
The CDC warns that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes:
The CDC recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the U.S.
For more information about the coronavirus and COVID-19, the impact on travel, and what the federal government is doing about it, you can visit the links below. All of the information above was compiled from the sources at the links below.COVID-19 Info From WHO
El Paso city leaders announced a second presumptive positive case of coronavirus in the El Paso area Sunday, March 15th. According to city officials, there are no cases on Fort Bliss at this time. Authorities say that preliminary information about the coronavirus shows that about 80% of the cases are mild and most people do not need hospitalization.
Although it can be easy to panic and stress about the virus showing up in our community and fear getting infected, at a press conference held Sunday, March 15th, Mayor Dee Margo stated there is no need for El Pasoans to stockpile large amounts of canned food, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, and other items. Taking the precautions and actions outlined above to avoid contracting the virus or seeking medical attention if already infected are best practices for dealing with this pandemic.
UPDATE APRIL 5, 2020:
Total number of positive coronavirus cases now total 115. According to city officials, 63 women and 52 men are among the 115 cases. Of those cases, 27 people are hospitalized and 10 of those are currently in intensive care units.
El Paso is currently under a “Stay Home, Work Safe” order, which has shut down city parks and restricted which business can be open.Read the "Stay Home, Work Safe" Order
A local El Paso education task force will be reaching out to residents to reduce the anxiety that some residents might have over the coronavirus and COVID-19. More than a half dozen teams consisting of two educators will visit local shopping centers, malls, and public transit hubs to answer questions and provide printed literature to help reduce the stress and anxiety many El Pasoans may be experiencing.
Stay up-to-date with the latest information by following the City and DPH on Facebook and Twitter and by visiting www.EPHealth.com or www.EPSalud.com for updates. Additionally, residents with questions regarding coronavirus may call 211, option 6.