COVID-19 Hot Topics

COVID Hot Topics

 

Local Health Authority for Hopkins County:

Dr. Balkcom, MD

Brynn Smith, RN, EMT-P

• Teresa Botello, EMT-P
• Jennifer Davis, RN

903-440-5902

lha@hchdems.com

• COVID is transmitted through droplets. Droplet Video
• COVID is prevented by preventing those droplets from infecting you and preventing you from infecting others. This is accomplished through hand hygiene and masking.
  • Masks
    • Shields
    • Bandanas and neck gators are the least effective Mask types that are effective.
  • Hand washing
  • Surface cleaning Surface survival for COVID
• What if you’ve been exposed?
  • Definition of exposure.
    • Within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more to an infected person.
  • Not all exposures are the same.
  • High-risk exposures = 14-day quarantine no matter what.
    • Critical Infrastructure personnel may differ.
  • Wait at least 3-5 days or until symptoms begin to go get tested to ensure accuracy. The most favorable is 5-7 days. When to test after exposure.
  • KEYWORDS = AFTER THE LAST KNOWN EXPOSURE!
• Testing Different testing types
  • txcovidtest.org to find locations. You can also use gogettested.com
  • • Blood Test
    • Shows exposure
    • Not reliable for a positive or negative result
    • Think dirty coffee cup.
  • Antigen (“rapid test”)
    • Nasal or oral swab
    • Good for positive results after the waiting period after exposure. (near 0% false positive)
    • NOT reliable for negative results (up to 50% false-negative rate) Test reliability
    • Not reported widely to local health entities.
  • Molecular-PCR
    • Oral or nasal swab
    • Most reliable for negatives and positives after the waiting period after exposure. (as low as 2% false-negative & 5% or lower for false positive)
    • Takes days to get back
    • Reported results
  • What if you’re positive?
    • Exposed household (high-risk exposures) needs to quarantine as well.
    • Proper isolation and quarantine are key to reduce spread.
    • With symptoms
      • End isolation at the end of 10 days +fever and symptom resolution for 24 hours.
      • Also depends on the severity of symptoms and a person’s health history.
    • Without symptoms
      • End isolation 10 days after test results received if no onset of symptoms for the duration.
    • Do I need to get retested?
      • NO

Helpful items:

Zoono products

Reduce group lunches

Bring clothes to change into at work.