COVID-19 Prevention, Flu Season

Safe Return to In-Person Instruction FNCS – 12-16-2022

Fuente Nueva wants to ensure our students, families and staff remain healthy during this flu season. Here are some tips from the California Department of Public Health to avoid getting sick, obtaining the flu or Corona Virus and/or spreading any illness:

The latest from the CDC click here.

The latest from Humboldt County Public Health

HOW CAN PEOPLE PROTECT THEMSELVES:
Every person has a role to play. So much of protecting yourself and your family comes down to common sense:

  • Washing hands with soap and water.
  • Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
  • Staying away from work, school or other people if you become sick with respiratory symptoms like fever and cough.
  • Following guidance from public health officials.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOU’RE SICK:
Call ahead: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and may have had contact with a person with COVID-19 or recently traveled to countries with apparent community spread, call your health care provider or local public health department first before seeking medical care so that appropriate precautions can be taken.

Symptoms and Sick Policy

Self reporting symptoms is our best way to combat the spread of the virus. We are strictly enforcing our illness protocol that students and staff stay home if they feel sick and if they have a fever they should remain at home until 24 hours after their fever is gone without the use of over-the-counter medication fever-reducers.

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure*:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
Call your healthcare professional if you develop symptoms, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19.
*This is based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses.
Los síntomas de autoinforme son nuestra mejor manera de combatir la propagación del virus. Estamos aplicando estrictamente nuestro protocolo de enfermedad para que los estudiantes y el personal se queden en casa si se sienten enfermos y si tienen fiebre, deben permanecer en casa hasta 24 horas después de que la fiebre haya desaparecido sin el uso de medicamentos de venta libre para reducir la fiebre.




En los casos confirmados de la enfermedad del coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), las enfermedades reportadas han variado de tener síntomas leves a enfermedades graves, y hasta produjeron muertes. Los síntomas pueden incluir:




    

  • Fiebre
    • 

  • Tos
    • 

  • Dificultad para respirar
    • 



Los CDC creen, en este momento, que los síntomas del COVID-19 podrían aparecer en tan solo 2 días o hasta 14 días después de la exposición. Esto se basa en lo que se ha observado previamente como el periodo de incubación del virus del MERS-CoV (en inglés).
















Frequently Asked Questions FAQ* about Coronavirus










Disease 2019 (COVID-19)


Updated March 3, 2020


This document has been updated as of March 2, 2020, following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For the latest information about COVID-19 including how it spreads, prevention, treatment, and symptoms, visit the CDC’s website. Printable PDFs on “What you need to know” and “What to do if you are sick” are available in English, Spanish and Simplified Chinese.




COVID-19 Basics


Q: What is COVID-19?


A: COVID-19 is a virus strain, first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, that has only spread in people since December 2019.


Health experts are closely monitoring the situation because little is known about this new virus and it has the potential to cause severe illness and pneumonia in some people.


Q: How does COVID-19 spread and what are the symptoms?


A: COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets, which means to become infected, people generally must be within six feet of someone who is contagious and come into contact with these droplets.


It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. Symptoms of COVID-19 appear within two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose and difficulty breathing.


Q: How long does it take for symptoms of the COVID-19 to appear?


A: CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as two days, or as long as 14 days after exposure. This is based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS viruses. There are isolated reports of individuals transmitting the infection to others before they develop symptoms. To be cautious, many governments are requiring an isolation period of 14 days for people returning from endemic areas.


Q: Should I be tested for COVID-19?


A: Call your healthcare professional if you feel sick with fever, cough or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or if you live in or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.


Your healthcare professional will work with your state’s public health department and CDC to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.


Q: How is COVID-19 treated?


A: There is currently no FDA approved medication for COVID-19. People infected with this virus should receive supportive care such as rest, fluids and fever control, to help relieve symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions.


Prevention


Q: Is there a vaccine?


A: Currently, there is no vaccine available.


Q: How can I best protect myself and patients?


A: Practice the following:


    

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
    • 

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
    • 

  • Avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with people who are sick.
    • 

  • Stay home when you are sick.
    • 

  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
    • 

  • Standard household cleansers and wipes are effective in cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
    • 

  • It’s currently flu and respiratory disease season and CDC recommends getting vaccinated, taking everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs, and taking flu antivirals if prescribed.
    • 



Q: Should I wear a face mask? Will that help protect me?


A: Masks do help to stop the spread of infection, so they can help if someone who is actively sick wears them. However, when it comes to COVID-19, it is unclear how effective protective masks are. Currently the CDC does not recommend masks for healthy individuals. If you are not sick and do not have symptoms, maintaining proper infection control such as frequent hand washing and cough etiquette is the best form of protection.


Travel


For the latest information on travel information, alerts and warnings, please visit the CDC’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel website.


Q: What should I do if I have symptoms and have recently traveled from China, South Korea, Iran, Italy or Japan?


A: If you traveled from China, South Korea, Iran, Italy or Japan in the last 14 days and feel sick with fever, cough or have difficulty breathing, you should:


    

  • Seek medical care right away. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms.
    • 

  • Avoid contact with others.
    • 

  • Not travel while sick.
    • 

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
    • 

  • Wash hands often with soap and water for 15-20 seconds. Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
    • 



Q: Should I travel internationally?


A: CDC recommends avoiding nonessential travel to China, South Korea, Iran, Italy and Japan at this time.


If you must travel:


    

  • Avoid contact with people who are sick.
    • 

  • Avoid animals (alive or dead), animal markets and products that come from animals (such as uncooked meat).
    • 

  • Wash hands often with soap and water for 15-20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
    • 

  • Older adults and travelers with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease.
    • 






Humboldt County Office of Education COVID-19 Resources




Special Thanks to the McKinleyville Union School District.