People at Higher Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19

COVID-19 is a new disease and there is limited information regarding risk factors for severe disease. Based on currently available information and clinical expertise, older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Based upon available information to date, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 include:

• People aged 65 years and older
• People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility
• Other high-risk conditions could include:
  • People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma
  • People who have serious heart conditions
  • People who are immunocompromised including cancer treatment
  • People of any age with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] >40) or certain underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, such as those with diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease might also be at risk
• People who are pregnant should be monitored since they are known to be at risk with severe viral illness, however, to date data on COVID-19 has not shown increased risk

Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications

Extra steps people in higher risk groups or their caretakers can take:

• CDC People at Risk for Serious Illness from COVID-19
• Sign up for Senior Call Check - A daily call for people 65+ who live alone. Call 1-866-50-CHECK or register online
• Frequently Asked Questions: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Older Adults
• 3/10/2020 Press Release: Preparedness for People at Higher Risk for COVID-19
• 4/7/2020 COVID-19 Flyer for Adults 65+
  
  
  

Flatten the Curve

Protect the vulnerable. Protect the healthcare system. Closing schools, implementing social distancing is all designed to “flatten the curve.” It is critical that we flatten the curve so that the health care system can better manage the flow of people seeking care. 

Prevention

Prevent the spread of germs. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, cover your cough/sneeze, avoid touching your face, clean “high touch” surfaces, stay home when sick, wash your hands often, cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others. Here are tips on how to protect yourself when you go out for essential errands.

Wear a Mask/Face Covering 

CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings (such as grocery stores and pharmacies). These can help slow the spread of the virus. Cloth face coverings can be made from a scarf, bandana, or you can make one using one of these patterns online. Sew and No-Sew Instructions

Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.

The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators.  Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders.

Symptoms

Patients with COVID-19 have experienced mild to severe respiratory illness. Symptoms can include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. Seek medical advice if you develop symptoms, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently been in the area with ongoing spread of COVID-19. 

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

What to Do If You’re Sick

If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, call your regular primary care provider first. Do not go to your doctor’s office without calling. 

Do not go to the emergency room unless you are having a medical emergency. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs.

CDC: Steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick

After You’ve Recovered

If you have recovered from a confirmed case of COVID-19, visit COVIDConnect for Marylanders: COVIDConnect

Plan & Prepare

Creating a household plan can help protect your health and the health of those you care about in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 in your community. You should base the details of your household plan on the needs and daily routine of your household members. Get Your Household Ready for Coronavirus

For older adults, people at higher risk and their caregivers, click here for additional planning and preparedness tips.

Make sure your all-emergencies preparedness kit also contains these things:

• Pain relievers, fever reducers, decongestants, and cough drops
• Alcohol–based hand sanitizer
• Thermometer
• Facial tissues, paper products
• Extended supply of prescription medications
• Diapers or pet supplies if needed

Travel

If you have traveled to an area with widespread ongoing transmission or a Level 3 country in the past 14 days, CDC is recommending that travelers should stay home for 14 days after returning to the United States, practice social distancing and monitor your health. Travelers that are sick with fever, cough, or have trouble breathing should call ahead before seeking medical care. 

Click here for CDC’s guidelines for travel

Feeling anxious about the COVID-19 situation?

• Call 211 or 866-411-6803 to reach the local 211 center in Frederick, MD for mental health and health resources and general questions about COVID-19.
• Even though normal routines have been disrupted, it can be helpful to have a schedule with regular sleep, wake, and meal times.
• Make time for socializing via phone or video.
• Get some fresh air or exercise, following social distancing orders.
• Help not hurt. COVID-19 affects all types of people. Be kind to those who are affected, they have not done anything wrong.
• Limit your media exposure. Just get enough information from reputable sources, once or twice a day, so you can take practical steps to make your plans and protect yourself and loved ones.
• Be supportive. Using precautions, safely supporting others in their time of need is good for the person receiving support as well as the helper.
• Find ways to share hopeful and positive stories and images of local people coming together or who have recovered.
• Honor caregivers and healthcare workers supporting people affected with COVID-19 in your community. Thank them for the role they play to save lives and keep your loved ones safe.

Additional Resources:

SAMHSA Tips For Social Distancing, Quarantine, And Isolation During An Infectious Disease Outbreak

Children’s Mental Health Matters

Interested in becoming a Maryland Responder?

Membership is open to anyone over 18 years of age who is interested in promoting public health and assisting in the event of an emergency. Whether you are an actively licensed health care professional, student, retired health professional or someone with an interest in volunteering during emergencies, you are encouraged to register. Because many health personnel will already be committed to a role during an emergency, there is a need to recruit non-medical personnel who can assist health professionals during emergency responses.

Register today at https://mdresponds.health.maryland.gov/

Our Actions

FCHD is closely monitoring the current situation and taking the following actions:

• We have been planning and coordinating since early January with all of our local partners to include Frederick Health Hospital, Fire and Rescue Services (including EMS & 911), Frederick County Emergency Management, Frederick County Public Schools, and all of our Frederick County healthcare providers. We collectively stood up a Joint Information Center (JIC) to coordinate messaging and send out daily press releases.
• We’re regularly monitoring WHO, HHS, CDC, and MDH for updates and pushing that information out to our first responders, healthcare providers, health systems, local businesses, and area schools.
• We recently posted signs in all FCHD receptionist areas and our receptionists have been trained what to do in case someone says they’re sick or have recently been to an affected area.
• We are conducting county-wide weekly calls with healthcare providers, sharing the most up-to-date information about symptoms, screening and testing guidelines.
• We are pushing out to local healthcare systems the CDC guidance on infection control, hospital preparedness assessments, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supply planning, and clinical evaluation and management.
• We’re providing guidance to Frederick County Government and municipal officials to help plan and prepare for COVID-19 and respond if there is a local outbreak.
• We are sharing CDC business guidance to help public and private sectors ensure they can able to operate with adaptations like telework and flexible sick leave policies, as well as how to respond if an employee gets sick. We are enforcing the Governor’s orders for retail establishments and employers.
• We’re receiving PPE from state and national sources, and distributing PPE to healthcare providers according to Maryland Department of Health priority groups and our FCHD Ethics Committee guidelines.
• Health Department staff are assigned to long term care and assisted living facilities to provide individual guidance and support. 
• The Health Department’s Local Behavioral Health Authority staff are assigned to behavioral health residential treatment and housing programs to provide individual guidance and support.