the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Valley Health Systems gives a Coronavirus Update :
Novel Coronavirus Update
We recognize that news and information regarding novel coronavirus (COVID-19) exposures and risks can give rise to questions and be a source of concern. We want to assure our patients and the communities we serve that Valley Health System is working closely with local, state, and federal public health agencies, as well as our own infection control professionals, to make sure that we are prepared for COVID-19.
It is important to understand that our healthcare professionals regularly care for patients with respiratory illnesses and other infectious diseases, and are well trained in the specific precautions and protocols to follow to protect themselves and others. This includes the early recognition and isolation of any patient identified as being high risk for COVID-19.
If You Have Symptoms
If you are having symptoms of respiratory illness such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, please call ahead before seeking medical care. This will help your healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from becoming exposed or infected, and to determine the best setting for you to receive care. If your symptoms are mild, you may be advised to remain home and self-quarantine for 14 days, as recommended by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
When you call, it is particularly important that you advise the office staff if you or any close contacts have traveled within the last 14 days to China, Iran, Italy, Japan, or South Korea. If you become ill after returning home to the United States, call your healthcare provider before going to a doctor’s office or emergency department of a hospital. They may want to place a mask on you before you enter the building to protect other people.
Protect Yourself
There are simple everyday preventive measures you can protect yourself and limit the spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 and flu.
A few common measures the CDC advises include:
Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve, not your hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them until they feel dry.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Stay home if you are sick.
Avoid close contact with someone who appears to have a respiratory infection.
Clean all “high touch” surfaces every day. These include countertops, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, phones, keyboards, tablets, toilets, and bedside tables.
Review and follow CDC travel advisories when planning travel.
We will continue to keep you updated as the situation evolves.
Additional Resources
The New Jersey Department of Health has established a 24-hour hotline at 1-800-222-1222, where trained healthcare professionals are standing by to answer questions about COVID-19.
You can also visit the following sites for more information:
New Jersey Department of Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
18K people died from the Swine Flu back in 2009
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10,000 people died from the current Flu so far THIS YEAR in the UAS alone.
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(…in the USA alone)
10,000 people died from the current Flu so far THIS YEAR in the UAS alone.
Are you currently accepting medical supplies donations for healthcare workers at the hospital?
yes Dorothy, we are in great need. Thanks for asking.