The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials have starkly warned that the new coronavirus (COVID-19) will almost certainly spread across the country and urged the healthcare bodies, businesses and schools to start making preparations for a crisis.

The CDC recommends practicing social distancing and safety measures such as:

  • Maintaining a minimum of 6 feet distance from other people
  • Creating smaller groups of students at school or let the schools remain closed altogether
  • Canceling all meetings and conferences
  • Introducing tele-schooling
  • Letting employees work from home
  • Observing religious practice and ceremonies at home
  • Families should be prepared to stay at home for a week or two without traveling even short distances for food, medical supplies or entertainment
  • Continue practicing handwashing and use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
  • Covering your mouth while coughing or sneezing
  • Wearing a facemask especially when you are around other people
  • Avoid sharing personal household items including towels, cups, drinking glasses, or bedding
  • Thoroughly cleaning all high-touch surfaces including phones, tabletops, bathroom fixtures, toilets, keyboards, tablets, etc every day
  • Increasing Telehealth systems
  • Continuing travel restriction
  • Avoiding public transportation, ride-sharing or taxis
  • Protecting yourself from other individuals and animals at home
  • Staying in a specific room away from others, and if possible, using a separate bathroom
  • Restricting contact with pets and other animals if in case you contract the virus
  • Calling your doctor before visiting. This could help them take steps to keep others from being exposed

Hospitals should prepare themselves for potential spread by following these:

  • Prevent the spread of the infection within the hospital facility
  • As part of routine operation, provide care for a limited number of patients with suspected/confirmed COVID
  • During an escalating outbreak, provide care for a large number of patients
  • Keeping the most vulnerable patients isolated from others
  • Equip ventilators to help people breathe
  • Maintain an adequate supply of protective equipment for healthcare workers
  • Delay elective medical procedures
  • Hospitals can use the CDC’s recommended preparedness tool

According to the statement released by the officials at the World Health Organization, the outbreak is not yet a pandemic. “We are not witnessing the uncontained global spread of this virus,” Market Watch mentioned Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Director-General. “What we are seeing are epidemics in different parts of the world, affecting countries in different ways,” he added.

According to the health secretary Alex Azar’s statement at the press conference, the U.S. would be undertaking “the most aggressive containment efforts in modern history”, mentioned ABC News. He added that while measures are going to be taken, they are also realistic about expecting more cases.

Upon improving the White House’s request for funds, the $1.25 billion will be earmarked for accelerated COVID-19 vaccine development alongside the procurement of supplies and equipment to support preparedness and response activities.

Workers are disinfecting buses and subway trains in Iran where more than a dozen people have died from the coronavirus outbreak. Duration: 00:43
Workers are disinfecting buses and subway trains in Iran where more than a dozen people have died from the coronavirus outbreak. Duration: 00:43 AFPTV / Majid SOURATI
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