About the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) & Church Guidelines in Prevention
March 8, 2020
What You Need to Know About COVID-19
The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
We still have much to learn about COVID-19. What we do know is it can be spread from person to person and confirmed cases of people infected are on the rise.
There is no specific treatments and at present no vaccine that protects against COVID-19. Most people with common human coronavirus illness will recover on their own.
People with underlying disease will make them more vulnerable to respiratory disease, including those with diabetes, chronic lung disease, pre-existing kidney failure, people with suppressed immune systems and the elderly may be at a higher risk.
How to prevent
- avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections
- frequent hand-washing, especially after direct contact with people who are sick or their environment
- avoid close contact with live or dead farm or wild animals
Symptoms
- fever
- cough
- runny nose
- sore throat
- headache
- a general feeling of being unwell
- shortness of breath
- may experience difficulty in breathing
- pneumonia (chest infection)
How does it spread
- through direct contact with an infected person
- transmitted through a runny nose, saliva
- transmitted by respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing
- by touching contaminated objects and surfaces and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes
How to stop the spread
- avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands
- wash your hands with soap frequently and thoroughly, including between your fingers, under your fingernails and your wrists
- if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- cover your cough or sneeze using a tissue or into your elbow or sleeve, being sure to cover your mouth
- dispose of used tissue properly in the garbage and wash your hands with soap or use alcohol-based sanitizer after
- if you are sick, stay home until your symptoms resolve
- replace hand towels frequently
- avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing
- increase cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces such as toilets, tap handles, doorknobs, countertops, light switches using regular household cleaners
- avoid sharing personal items that come into contact with saliva such as toothbrushes, eating utensils, water bottles and towels
- try to avoid large crowds and do your errands during less busy times
- bring hand sanitizer with you and use it in public places, especially after touching elevator buttons, grocery carts, doorknobs and doors
- avoid travelling to cities and countries where there are confirmed cases of Novel Coronavirus
If you are feel unwell or sick
- if your symptoms feel worse than a standard cold, see your health-care practitioner
- if you have returned from affected areas or have been in contact with a patient with coronavirus in the last 14 days, immediately isolate yourself and seek medical attention
- if you were sick while you were away, tell a flight attendant or a border service officer when you arrive
- If you develop a fever, a cough, sore throat or shortness of breath within 14 days of travel or have had contact with a person with confirmed coronavirus, you should immediately isolate yourself and seek medical attention
- When seeking medical care, wear a surgical mask if you have one available or ask for one from the medical professionals
Above Information from
https://www.ontario.ca/page/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov#section-6
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus.html
https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
https://www.who.int/ith/2020-0901_outbreak_of_Pneumonia_caused_by_a_new_coronavirus_in_C/en/
Please only
focus on trusted sources of information, such as the websites listed
above. Do not circulate any officially unconfirmed
information on social media.
Church Guidelines to Prevent the Spread of Flu and the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern”. To continue preventing the spread of the virus and to ensure that worship and other ministry events can take place in a safe and hygienic environment, please note the following measures and guidelines.
General Guidelines
- Anyone who has recently travelled to areas with COVID-19 outbreak, or has close contact with such traveller(s) or COVID-19 patient(s), please self-isolate at home for 14 days and avoid coming to church and going to public places.Anyone who recently returned from Asia, please self-isolate at home for 14 days.
- Anyone who is diagnosed with COVID-19, even if it is presumptive, must inform the church office immediately.
- Anyone who has been infected with COVID-19, once recovers (fever-free and not exhibiting symptoms) is required to have a clearance letter from a doctor before participating in any church/ministry gathering, events, fellowship program, Sunday school and worship.
- If you or your child is experiencing shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, please seek medical attention immediately and rest at home.
- If you or your child has a fever or is experiencing any flu-like symptoms such as sore throat, runny-nose, and/or cough, or symptoms of respiratory illness, please seek medical attention and rest at home.
- Please bring your own 3-ply surgical mask to use during worship, Sunday school, fellowship or other church events. If you need one, feel free to ask from church staff. Please note that the surgical masks are for your use during your stay at church and not meant to be taken with you for your home and other use as we need to ensure we have enough supplies for church congregants.
- Practise personal hygiene and proper method of hand-washing. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, face and mouth with unwashed hands, and please wash your hands with soap or use alcohol-based sanitizer after if you did.
- Practise proper use of surgical mask. Dispose of any used surgical mask properly in garbage bin. While wearing a surgical mask, do not use your hand to touch the mask.
- Cover your cough or sneeze using a tissue being sure to cover your mouth. Then dispose of the used tissue properly in the garbage and wash your hands with soap or use alcohol-based sanitizer after.
- Upon arrival at church, please wash your hands with soap and water or use alcohol-base hand sanitizer.
- If at any time during Sunday worship or any church events, you suddenly feel unwell and sick, please raise your hand to alert ushers and persons in charge for assistance and to provide you with a surgical mask. Leave and seek immediate medical attention.
- Refrain from hand shaking when greeting one another.
- If possible, leave room doors open during gathering for air circulation.
- We ask that groups, for example fellowship, children gathering, ministry programs and events, to refrain from sharing food and drinks and events where there will be sharing of food and drinks, for example potluck. And where mealtime is part of the program, food should be prepared in a hygienic manner and be served in individual portions, for example boxed meals.
- Sunday school teachers, leaders in charge of programs and gatherings and ushers, please note the above and remind attendees to follow.
Children and Youth Programs
- Parent, please take the temperature of your child prior to leaving home for church. Please keep him/her home if he/she has a fever and/or any flu-like symptoms (sore throat, runny nose, cough).
- Prior to entering the Children Centre, all children should wash their hands with soap and water and/or use hand sanitizer.
- If any child is found having a fever or experience any flu-like symptoms (sore throat, runny nose, cough) during a program, the child will need to wear a surgical mask and the parent(s) will be notified to pick up the child. Therefore it is imperative to leave your accurate mobile phone number with the Children Department and have it turned on all the time while your child/ren is/are attending the Children program.
- It is the parents’ decision for their children to participate in any children’s program. If you wish for your children to wear surgical masks during the course of the program, please try to bring your own as we do not have supply of kid’s size surgical masks.
