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| Signs at Hospital and surgery urging instructing anyone showing Corona virus symptoms not to enter premises |
“Behave as
if you have it” is the message about the Covid 19 virus from Dr
Adrian Baker, Nairn Healthcare Group. Speaking on Friday Adrian told
the Gurn that at the moment Covid 19 cannot be stopped and the
important thing is that we need to modify our behaviour to reduce the
speed and rate of infection. As of the 12th March 2020
there were no official cases in the Highlands, this doesn't mean
there aren't any and it is only a matter of time until the virus is
reported.
He feels
that one of the main problem's for NHG is becoming overwhelmed with
hundreds of cases in a day, but if we're all sensible and behave as
we've been asked to do we stand a chance of getting through this
ongoing situation on a day by day basis.
Short video interview with Dr Adrian Baker
He pointed
out that we all have a personal responsibility to protect both
ourselves and other people and to reduce the risk from this virus as
much as possible. Washing your hands, using a tissue if you cough or
sneeze (and then dispose of it), keeping a distance from other
people, these are all simple actions but could make a huge
difference.
For 80% of
the population this will be a very mild illness and while children or
young adults are at less of a risk, the group which is more
vulnerable is people over 70, especially those who have underlying
illness and are on multiple medications. If you are in this group you
should be especially careful and try to avoid crowded areas as much
as possible and keep a safe distance from other people.
Parents
and older people should be careful around younger children as they
are very good carriers of viral illnesses, everyone should be aware
of this and take precautions to reduce the risk of picking up the
virus from children.
One of
Adrian's biggest concerns for the town is the Care homes and Nairn
Town & County hospital. There are 200 care home beds and 20 beds
in the hospital and many of these people are already frail or ill. He
urges people not to visit people in care homes or hospital unless
they absolutely have to and to carry out hand washing or cleansing
before you enter the premises. If you have a cough or temperature or
have recently been to an area where there has been an outbreak of the
virus his advice is not to visit to protect residents.
The surgery
has carried out some adjustments to the layout of the waiting area,
seats are now at least 2 metres apart. The self check in screens have
been closed down and you should queue at the reception desk leaving
at least a metre between yourself and other people. You will be asked
to wash your hands on entry to the building. Please do not touch your
phone or other devices once you have washed your hands as you may
contaminate surfaces. Further precautions will be introduced over the
next week with the aim of protecting patients, protecting staff and
protecting the building.
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| New layout in waiting area at Nairn Health Care - seats 2m apart |
The most
important things we should all be doing are;
- Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds using soap and water
- Don't touch your face, especially your eyes and mouth
- Social distancing – stay at least 1metre or preferably more from other people
- Don't shake hands
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze and put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards.
- Regularly clean phones, iPads, kindles, tablets, etc as these are fantastic vectors for transmitting infection and the virus can live on glass and hard surfaces for a number of day's. Check online for the most appropriate instructions for your device.
The main
symptoms of Covid 19 are
- a fever or high temperature
- a new, persistent dry cough
- shortness of breath
Do not go to
the surgery if you have these symptoms. If you have are suffering
significant shortness of breath ring the practice on 01667 452096 for
advice and assessment.
What to do
if you have the symptoms
- If you develop a persistent dry cough and you've got a temperature over 37.3C treat it as flu. You should self isolate and stay at home for 7 days. Look after yourself, drink plenty of fluids and take paracetamol or ibuprofen if required. There is no need to contact the surgery at this stage.
- If you develop significant shortness of breath you should stay at home and ring the surgery where arrangements will be made to assess you and work out the best course of treatment
- During self isolation don't leave the house. If you require shopping you should arrange for someone else to get it and leave it at your door.
- For 80% of people this will be a very mild illness and after 5 day's you should start to improve
- Do not come to the surgery if you have any of the symptoms
- Do not visit Care homes or the hospital if you have any of the symptoms
Nairn
Healthcare Group can be contacted on 01667 452096 where you can speak
to a doctor or nurse during the day or out of hours.
For further information and guidance on Covid 19 visit www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus
For information and advice on cleaning your smart phone and other gadgets www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/technology-51863924/coronavirus-how-to-clean-your-smartphone-safely
For information on how to wash your hands www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/health-51637561/coronavirus-watch-how-germs-spread
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