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Specialty Environmental

Covid-19 Awareness Training

Objectives

  • Become familiar with the virus, SARS-CoV-2, that causes the viral disease called COVID-19
  • Understang the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 infection
  • Understand how infection occurs, and how you can protect yourself from infection
  • Understand wht the terms Quarantine, Self-quarantine, and Isolation mean
  • Understand basic CDC guidelines regarding the cleaning and disinfection of homes, businesses, and community facilities
  • Understand the qualifications held by SCS for detailed cleaning and disinfection of facilities affected by COVID-19

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in humans and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. 

Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people, such as with MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. 

Epidemic Potential: Coronaviruses are jumping increasingly from animals to humans, creating new threats. 

What Is COVID-19?

  • Coronavirus 2019, COVID-19, is a respiratory illness
  • COVID-19 is caused by the virus identified as SARS-CoV-2
  • Although, the first human cases of COVID-19 likely resulted from exposure to infected animals, infected peopel speading the virus to other people is the main concern now
  • Indentified in Desember 2019 in Wuhan China, COVID-19 has spread globally
  • Cuirrently there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment for COVID-19. Clinical trials are underway.
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What Are The Symptoms?

  • The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure*
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of Breath
  • *based on what has been seen previousluy as the incubation peroid of MERS-COV viruses

How Does COVID-19 Spread?

  • The virus is thought ot spread mainly from person-to-person, incuding:
  • Between people who are in close contact with one anothor (within about 6 feet or the length of a refrigerator)
  • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes
  • These droplets can land the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaed into the lungs
  • It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that hsa the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this in not thought ot be the primary way the visus spreads
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Stop The Spread

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Cover your cough or sneeze
  • STOP touching your face
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
  • If you are sick, stay home
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

How Do I Protect Myself During Travel?

Because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes, most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on airplanes. Although the risk of infection on an airplane is low, travelers should try to avoid contact with sick passengers and wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer that contains 60-95% alcohol. 

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  • Isolation: A term used in healthcare when patients are suspected to be at risk of transmission to other people. Additional precautions are taken such as use of PPE or placed in a special room with dedicated airflow. 
  • Social Distancing: Public health and safety technique that is used to help slow down the spread of an infectious disease
    • Avoid large gatherings 
    • Stay at home as much as possible 
    • Keep 6-10 feet away from other people
  • Quarantine
    • Strict isolation imposed to prevent the spread of disease
    • Typically for a set period of time. For COVID-19 it is typically 14 days (incubation period of COVID-19 is 2-14 days)
  • Can be enforced by Public Health Officials or done voluntarily
  • Travel Restrictions 
    • Travel Warning: CDC level 1, 2, and 3
    • Travel Ban
    • Airport Screenings

 

Safe Cleaning and Disinfecting COVID-19 Affected Areas

Employee Safety Program

  • Responsibilities 
  • Exposure Controls
    • Engineering
    • Administrative
    • Personal Protective Equipment
    • Hand Hygiene
    • Hazard Communication and Spill Prevention
    • All Staff Safety Traning
      • Program Content and Responsibilities 
      • Daily Huddle Training 
      • Examination and Certification 

Written Protocols

  • Responsibilities 
  • Exposure Controls
    • Engineering
    • Administrative
    • Personal Protective Equipment
    • Hand Hygiene
    • Hazard Communication and Spill Prevention
    • All Staff Safety Traning
      • Program Content and Responsibilities 
      • Daily Huddle Training 
      • Examination and Certification