Coronavirus

The following information was obtained from AHS:

The current risk for people in Alberta is still considered low. For information, call Health Link 811. For updates go to https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page16944.aspx

Symptoms

Symptoms for COVID-19 are similar to those for influenza or other respiratory illnesses. They can range from mild to severe and include:

  • fever
  • cough
  • difficulty breathing

The majority of cases have reported mild symptoms. Older adults and people with medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and lung disease are more likely to become seriously ill.

Prevention

To help protect you and your family against all respiratory illnesses, including flu and COVID-19, you should:

  • Wash your hands often and well
  • Avoid touching your face, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched
  • Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill
  • When sick, cover your cough and sneezes and then wash your hands

Risk

A higher risk applies to people who develop a fever and/or cough or shortness of breath AND meet any of the criteria below. In the 14 days before illness onset, they:

  • • Travelled to the following areas: mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Iran, South Korea, Japan, or Italy; or • Had close contact* with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19; or
  • • Had close contact* with a person with acute respiratory illness who was in mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Iran, South Korea, Japan or Italy within 14 days prior to illness onset; or
  • • Had laboratory exposure to biological material (e.g. primary clinical specimens, virus culture isolates) known to contain COVID-19 virus.

Anyone meeting these criteria should avoid contact with others and call Health Link (811) for advice.

* A close contact is defined as a person who provided care for the individual, including healthcare workers, family members or other caregivers, or who had other similar close physical contact with the person without consistent and appropriate use of personal protective equipment OR who lived with or otherwise had close prolonged contact (within 2 metres) with the person while they were infectious OR had direct contact with infectious bodily fluids of the person (e.g. was coughed or sneezed on) while not wearing recommended personal protective equipment.



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