What is COVID-19

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization declares the outbreak of COVID-19 a public health event of international concern. COVID-19, is an acute respiratory, pneumonia, disease caused by a new ‘novel coronavirus’. The World Health Organization was alerted to several cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, China, in December of 2019. 

The symptoms of COVID-19 are:

• Fever

• Cough

• Shortness of Breath

• Muscle Pain

• Sputum Production

• Sore Throat

In most cases, those with COVID-19 realize mild symptoms which can be managed with self-quarantine and home care. Progressive COVID-19 symptoms include pneumonia and advanced organ failure which must be treated in a health care facility or hospital. 

If you feel that you (or the ones you care about) have these symptoms, these are the things you must do:

• Practice Social Distancing – keep your distance from others and avoid group contact, watch the video below.

• Complete a Self-Assessment – Alberta Health Services (AHS) has provided an online self-assessment tool

• Call 8-1-1 – phone Alberta Health Link and speak to a health care supporter for guidance

• Self-Quarantine Immediately – get indoors immediately and stay there
   

Inform Family and Friends – rely on others to help you with getting food, medicine, and other essentials.

Social Distancing

To protect yourself and those you care about, please:

• Personal Hygiene – wash your hands with warm water & soap every 20-30 minutes

• Avoid Touching Your Face with your hands - mouth, nose & ears are mucosal surfaces where respiratory viruses can attach very efficiently and become a site of entry into the body. 

• Minimum 2 meters or 6 feet (3-steps) away from other people - this is important when you’re standing in a line-up, travelling on a bus, meeting people, etc.

• Change Your Ways to Greet -  no hugs, no kisses, no handshakes, no fist-pumps. But you can bow to, wave to each other, or put your hands together.

• Avoid small, medium and large group gatherings - an intentional overreaction will work.

  • Do not hold meetings in groups. 

  • Do not eat around a public dining table.

  • Do not go to bars, sporting activities and events, arts and theatre places, your workplace, church, or other social gatherings that are not essential

• Avoid unnecessary visits to the grocery stores, physician appointments - try to support businesses that offer take-outs, front-door, or curb-side pick-up.
   

Politely ask others to keep their distance. It is important to protect your space. Tell people around you to keep 2 meters, 6 feet, or 3 steps away from you.

​

Self Assessment

Alberta Health Services provides Albertans to access to an online self-assessment tool. The symptoms of COVID-19 can be confused with the common cold, seasonal flu, and other ailments. To understand your symptoms, please take the time to complete the self-assessment tool for yourself and your loved ones. Click on the link here.