Nurse

Floodwood School Community:

I want to share with you a case I know of in the state.  Due to confidentially I am unable to share all the details: 

The individual is a 20-year-old previously healthy male.  He was working in long term care with full and appropriate PPE.  His symptoms started with a sore throat, then progressed to coughing spells, fever and difficulty breathing.   He has been quarantined in his home, and health officials will be monitoring his recovery.

State of Minnesota as of today:

Total Positive 18,200 cases.  Between 500-700 new cases daily.  809 Deaths.  These have been in all age groups. 

This is a reminder to raise the level of urgency in our community as well, and I ask that it also remind you to please remain diligent in your efforts to follow the following protocols to keep us all safe.

1.     Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.

2.     Remain in your home unless for the following reasons:

a.     Reporting to work

b.     Medical need (but remember if you have COVID-19 symptoms call your medical professional or hospital before coming into the office)

c.     Shopping for food

d.     Outdoor exercise or walking your pet

3.     Minimize your contact with hard surfaces or objects which others may have had previous contact.

4.     Wipe down any hard surface before and after you have come in contact with it.

5.     Keep a bottle of hand-sanitizer on you and use whenever you have come in contact with an object or surface outside your home.

6.     When outside of the home, remain at least 6 feet apart from any other individual not in your immediate household.

7.     Avoid coughing or sneezing into the open air. Instead, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or with your elbow.

8.     Wear a mask when out in the community.

Please visit coronavirus.gov for information on COVID-19, its symptoms, what to do if you fear you may have COVID-19, and answers to questions about COVID-19.  Scenic Rivers Clinics in Floodwood is available for testing by appointment only.   

Who should get tested?

·      People who have symptoms of COVID-19 should get tested. Talk to your health care provider.

·      In general, people who do not have symptoms should not be tested for COVID-19 unless an outbreak in workplace or home. 

Symptoms:

·       Symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat, or loss of taste or smell. Other less common symptoms include gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

·       These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after you are exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.

·       Not everyone with COVID-19 has all of these symptoms, and some people may not have any symptoms.

·       Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns about symptoms.

I understand this will bring added anxiety and concern for some of our residents, but I hope this also serves as a reminder of the role each of us plays in helping to reduce the spread of this disease. The world is working to discover a treatment and potential vaccine for coronavirus. However, we know that will not be developed overnight. The actions you take today is the only thing that can halt the spread of the disease tomorrow.

Thank you for keeping our friends, family, loved ones and community safe,

 

Sarah A. Marshall, RN, LSN

Floodwood Schools

smarshall@isd698.org