COVID-19 frequently asked outpatient questions

Frequently Asked Outpatient Questions
COVID-19 Main Page
Knowledge Based Questions
Everyday Life Questions
Cleaning and Disinfecting
Covid-19 in the Workplace
Public Safety Questions
Travel Related Questions
Pregnancy and COVID-19
Children and COVID-19
Pets/Animals and COVID-19
Keeping Spirits High in Quarantine
Vaccine Related Questions

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Roukoz A. Karam, M.D.[2] Aisha Adigun, B.Sc., M.D.[3] Neepa Shah, M.B.B.S.[4] Oluwabusola Fausat Adogba, MD[5]

Synonyms and keywords:

Knowledge Based Questions

What is COVID-19?

• Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are normally transmitted between animals and people. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by a new strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that has not been previously identified in humans. It was first reported to WHO on the 31st of December, 2019 in Wuhan, China.

What tests are used to diagnose COVID-19?

• The FDA has so far approved two types of tests for diagnosing COVID-19; a molecular test that detects the virus's genetic material using a lab technique called Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and an antigen test that detects certain proteins that are part of the virus.

How accurate are the COVID-19 serology tests?

• CDC’s serologic test is an ELISA-based test to detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in serum or plasma components of blood. It uses purified SARS-CoV-2 S protein (no live virus) as an antigen (designed by the Vaccine Research Center at the National Institutes of Health).

• CDC’s serologic test is designed to detect antibodies produced in response to SARS-CoV-2 and minimize cross-reactivity to antibodies generated to other common coronaviruses that cause less severe illnesses, such as colds. However, potential cross-reactivity cannot be completely ruled out.

• CDC’s serologic test has a specificity of greater than 99% and a sensitivity of 96% based on initial performance evaluations. It can be used to identify past SARS-CoV-2 infection in people who were infected at least 1 to 3 weeks previously.

Can COVID-19 be transmitted through the air over long distances?

• When a person with coronavirus coughs or exhales, droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch the virus by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.

• COVID-19 can be transmitted when people breathe in these droplets. Therefore, it is important to stay at least 2 meters away from a person who is coughing or sneezing.

What is the source of the virus?

• Scientists and public health officials are working hard to identify the source of the SARS-CoV-2 which is the virus that causes COVID-19. The initial transmission appeared to be from an animal source, but there has been person-to-person transmission in countries.

How does the virus spread?

• The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person, mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Spread is more likely when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

• COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in many affected geographic areas. Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.

Are countries with warmer climates immune to COVID-19?

• From the evidence so far, the virus causing COVID-19 can be transmitted in ALL AREAS, including areas with hot and humid weather.

Everyday Life Questions

As a business owner, how can I protect my staff?

• Screen the staff by taking temperature and disinfect hands with soap and water, wear a mask/face cloth, practice social distancing with 6 feet apart, disinfect frequently touched surfaces multiple times in a day and self-monitor for any symptoms of coronavirus like high fever, dry cough, muscle pain, and other flu-like symptoms.

Cleaning and Disinfecting

• All of the information below has been compiled from the CDC, WHO, and the FDA websites.
• According to a study performed by Arthur Chang et al it was found that there was 20% increase in the number of chemical exposures as reported by the National Poison Data System in the U.S for a period of 3 months from January 2020 to March 2020 as compared to the 3 months duration from January 2019 to March 2019.

How do I clean and disinfect surfaces?

• Use soap and water to clean the surfaces which will help in cleaning the dirt. Afterward, use disinfectants to kill the microbes. Here is a list of disinfectants approved by the EPA (the United States Environmental Protection Agency). Always use disposable gloves.

What surfaces at home should I disinfect regularly?

• High contact surfaces such as; doorknobs, sinks, dining tables, Phones, Laptops, light switches, keyboards.

What products can I use in disinfecting the home?

• Here is a list of disinfectants approved by the EPA (the United States Environmental Protection Agency). The EPA list mentions the EPA registration number not products by brand name. Check your cleaning/disinfectant products for the EPA registration number on the disinfectant.

Can I use bleach to disinfect at home?

• Yes, use bleach 5 tablespoons per gallon of water.

How often, and when do I clean hands with soap and water while at home?

• Wash hands before and after cooking, eating, cleaning surfaces, laundry, touching any supplies brought from the store.

Do I have to separate the laundry of a COVID-19 infected family member?

• You can mix laundry. Be sure to wash hands before and after doing laundry.

What precautions can I take as a caregiver to my family in quarantine?

• If you are the caregiver at your house, provide support with basic needs i.e; give medicines as per doctor's advice, give medicines to help with symptoms (i.e acetaminophen to lower fever). It is very important to watch for warning signs like - Trouble breathing, excessive pain in the chest, lack of response to verbal stimulation, confusion, and bluish discoloration of lips. Clean and disinfect the house as per the above recommendations. Have a separate bathroom if possible. Wear disposable gloves and wash hands with soap and water afterward when handling laundry or utensils of infected persons. Limit contact, wear a scarf or cloth face mask when around the sick person at home. Check if you are getting any symptoms like fever, dry cough, muscle pain, and other flu-like symptoms. As a caregiver, you should quarantine yourself for 14 days if you have come in contact with the sick person whether you are symptomatic or not.

I don't have symptoms but my family member has tested positive should I quarantine myself?

• Yes

How do I clean fruits and vegetables?

• First wash hands before and after washing vegetables with soap and water and thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables in water take extra care if you are eating raw.

How can I stay safe while shopping for supplies at the supermarket?

• Wear a mask and try to keep a 1-meter distance from other people. Use disinfectant wipes to sanitize the handle of the shopping basket and trolley handles. After coming home make sure to wash hands after properly cleaning vegetables, and other food products with plastic containers should be sanitized with disinfectant wipes as its found that the corona-virus can stay on the plastic container for 72 hours, 4 hours on the copper vessel and 24 hours on cardboard.

Children and COVID-19

Is COVID-19 transmitted via breast milk? Can I breast-feed my child?

The limited studies on breastfeeding women with COVID-19 have not found the virus in breast milk. The main concern is the parent or caregiver infecting the baby through respiratory droplets. Precautions should be taken to keep your baby healthy, including washing hands before touching and feeding your baby and wearing a face mask if you are experiencing symptoms or confirmed positive with COVID-19.

• If you have COVID-19 and choose to breastfeed:
  • Wear a cloth face covering while breastfeeding and wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before each feeding.

• If you have COVID-19 and choose to express breast milk:
  • Use a dedicated breast pump (not shared).
  • Wear a cloth face covering during expression and wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before touching any pump or bottle parts and before expressing breast milk.
  • Follow recommendations for proper pump cleaning after each use, cleaning all parts that come into contact with breast milk.
  • If possible, expressed breast milk should be fed to the infant by a healthy caregiver who does not have COVID-19, is not at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and is living in the same home.

References

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