COVID-19
What you need to know
about Coronavirus?
WHAT IS COVID-19?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious
disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2),a virus closely related to the
SARS virus.
The disease first emerged in Wuhan, China and is the cause of
the 2019–20 coronavirus outbreak.
Common Symptoms
High Temperature
Cough
Body Aches/
Muscle Pain
Shortness of Breath/
Breathing Difficulties
SEVERE SYMPTOMS
• High Fever (100.4oF or Higher)
• Pneumonia
• Kidney Failure
• Death
TRANSMISSION
The infection is spread from one person to others via respiratory droplets
produced from the airways, often during coughing or sneezing.
Close personal contact
Coughing and Sneezing
3 Feet 6 Feet
Touching an infected object
80% of cases are mild
80.9%
13.8%
4.7%
Mild Severe Critical
Like flu, stay at home Hospitalization Intensive care
PREVENTION
Regularly and thoroughly clean hands with an alcohol-based hand rub (at least 60%
alcohol) or wash them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
PREVENTION
Cough and sneeze etiquettes should be followed
Cover your mouth and Dispose off the After coughing or Wear a mask if you
nose with a tissue when tissue afterwards sneezing, wash your hands are coughing
coughing and sneezing with soap and water or sneezing
PREVENTION
High Temperature
Cough
Stay home if unwell Shortness of Breath/
If you have any of these symptoms Breathing Difficulties
call your health care provider
WHEN TO WEAR A MASK
If healthy, wear a mask only if taking care of a
person with suspected COVID-19 infection.
Wear a mask if while coughing or sneezing.
Masks are effective only when used in
combination with frequent hand-cleaning with
alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
Mask should be used and disposed off properly.
DIAGNOSIS
The standard method of testing is real time reverse transcription polymerase
chain reaction (rRT-PCR).
The test can be done on respiratory samples (nasopharyngeal swab or throat
swab).
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test is available at Chughtai Lab with result in 24
hours.
Recommended strategies
for employers
Actively encourage sick employees to stay home
Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home
and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F [37.8° C] or greater using an oral
thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the
use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants).
Employees should notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.
Separate sick employees
CDC recommends that employees who appear to have acute respiratory illness symptoms
(i.e. cough, shortness of breath) upon arrival to work or become sick during the day should
be separated from other employees and be sent home immediately. Sick employees should
cover their noses and mouths with a tissue when coughing or sneezing (or an elbow or
shoulder if no tissue is available).
Emphasize staying home when sick, respiratory
etiquette & hand hygiene by all employees
Place posters that encourage staying home when sick, cough and sneeze etiquette, and hand hygiene
at the entrance to your workplace and in other workplace areas where they are likely to be seen
Provide tissues and no-touch disposal receptacles for use by employees
Instruct employees to clean their hands often with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least
60-95% alcohol, or wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Soap and water
should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty
Provide soap and water and alcohol-based hand rubs in the workplace. Ensure that adequate supplies
are maintained. Place hand rubs in multiple locations or in conference rooms to encourage hand
hygiene
Perform routine environmental cleaning
Routinely clean all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as workstations, countertops,
and door knobs. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the
directions on the label.
Planning Considerations
Impact of disease on employees that are vulnerable and may be at higher risk for COVID-19 adverse health
complications. Inform employees that some people may be at higher risk for severe illness, such as older adults and
those with chronic medical conditions.
Prepare for possible increased numbers of employee absences due to illness in employees and their family members,
dismissals of early childhood programs and K-12 schools due to high levels of absenteeism or illness:
Employers should plan to monitor and respond to absenteeism at the workplace. Implement plans to continue your
essential business functions in case you experience higher than usual absenteeism.
Cross-train personnel to perform essential functions so that the workplace is able to operate even if key staff
members are absent.
Assess your essential functions and the reliance that others and the community have on your services or products.
Be prepared to change your business practices if needed to maintain critical operations (e.g., identify alternative
suppliers, prioritize customers, or temporarily suspend some of your operations if needed).
Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education
(IHE) that do not have COVID-19 identified in
their community
Monitor and plan for absenteeism
Review attendance and sick leave policies. Students, staff, and faculty should not attend class or work
when sick. Allow them to stay home to care for sick household members. Make accommodations (e.g.,
extended due dates, electronic submission of assignments), as possible, for individuals who may be
temporarily unable to attend class due to restrictions placed on them related to possible exposure to the
virus that causes COVID-19.
Establish procedures for students, staff, & faculty
who are sick (with any illness) on campus
Establish procedures to ensure students, staff, and faculty who become sick (with any illness) on
campus or arrive on campus sick are sent to their place of residence as soon as possible
Keep sick individuals separate from well individuals until they can leave
Perform routine environmental cleaning
Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces (e.g., door knobs, light switches, countertops) with the
cleaners typically used. Use all cleaning products according to the directions on the label
Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education (IHE)
with identified cases of COVID-19 in their community
Determine if, when, and for how long the IHE may need to suspend classes and postpone or cancel
events and activities. If classes are suspended, IHE can consider the following steps:
Temporarily cancel extracurricular group activities and large events.
Discourage students, staff, and faculty from gathering or socializing anywhere
Ensure continuity of education and research
Review continuity plans, including plans for the continuity of teaching, learning, and research.
Implement e-learning plans and distance learning options as feasible and appropriate
Ensure continuity plans address how to temporarily postpone, limit, or adapt research-related
activities (e.g., study recruitment or participation, access to labs) in a manner that protects the safety
of researchers, participants, facilities, and equipment
Ensure continuity of safe housing
Work in close collaboration with local health officials to make all decisions related to on-campus
housing
If cases of COVID-19 have not been identified among residents of on-campus community housing,
students may be allowed to remain in on-campus housing. In this situation, educate housing
residents on the precautions they should take to help protect themselves when there is community
spread of COVID-19. Residents should follow any more specific recommendations provided by local
health officials
If cases of COVID-19 have been identified among residents of on-campus community housing, work
with local health officials to take additional precautions
Thank you
