Very Important Information from Argentum re: Coronavirus

Very Important Information from Argentum re: Coronavirus

Bob received the following communication from James Balda, President & CEO of Argentum regarding the Coronavirus:

Robert,

The news surrounding the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) around the world and in the United States is creating justifiable concerns for senior living providers and others in our industry. While much about the spread of the disease is still unknown, indications point to the fact that older people, and those with preexisting medical conditions, appear to be more vulnerable, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The fatality rate is still being analyzed, but a paper released by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that studied recorded cases of coronavirus from mainland China as of February 11, shows the average fatality rate at 2.3%. However, that rises to 8% in those between 70-79 and 14.8% in those over 80.

At this point, there is no vaccine and no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus, according to WHO. However, there are simple precautions you can take, including:

• Practice good hand hygiene (wash your hands, use gloves, use hand sanitizers)
• Be cognizant of respiratory hygiene and sneeze/cough etiquette (use of disposable tissues)
• Engage in environmental cleaning (wipe down surfaces with antibacterial/virucide cleaners and clean frequently touched areas)
• Educate your residents and visitors about prevention practices, response, and precautions at your communities
• Remind staff and volunteers of training on sources of exposure, prevention, and recognition of symptoms and communication protocols

As an Argentum member, I want to assure you that we are working closely with our partners and relevant stakeholders to gather additional information to share with you regarding the coronavirus.

We appreciate your dedication and diligence as we work together to combat this challenge.

James Balda

President & CEO

Argentum 

The following links will take you to Argentum's Coronavirus toolkit, sample talking points to use when communicating about the Coronavirus, and a "what to do now" checklist - all provided by Argentum. There are also links to several articles written about the Coronavirus.

Click Here for a comprehensive toolkit which will be updated regularly as more facts and information become available.

Click Here for Talking Points you can use when communicating with residents, staff, family members, visitors/vendors, and the media about the Coronavirus.

Click Here for Communications and Operational items that can be addressed now.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Summary

Information for Healthcare Professionals

Control and Prevention

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