PHILIPSBURG--Collective Prevention Services’ (CPS’) second airing of the “Ask CPS” programme dove into the topic of what persons are advised to do if they are showing COVID-19 symptoms.
During the segment on Tuesday, CPS epidemiologist Dr. Raïssa Tjon-Kon-Fat spoke about what persons should do if they are showing any signs and symptoms of COVID-19. She said persons who are experiencing symptoms are advised by CPS to remain at home and to call their family doctor.
According to Tjon-Kon-Fat, possible symptoms may include coughing, fever, shortness of breath, or any other flu-like symptoms. She stressed the importance of self-isolation from other members of the household and practising proper hygiene etiquettes such as covering your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue when coughing and sneezing, carefully disposing of the tissue when finished and, of course, washing your hands with water and soap.
General practitioner (GP) Dr. Grace Spencer provided advice on what persons can do at home to take care of themselves if they test positive for COVID-19 and are showing symptoms.
She noted that there are two common categories of COVID-19 positive persons. “We have [persons – Ed.] that are positive with no symptoms, those that are positive with mild symptoms (mild symptoms include mild fever and a slight cough) and then you have severe symptoms, those who have difficulty breathing, chest pains, etc.,” she said.
Dr. Spencer said persons with mild or no symptoms are advised to remain at home. She stressed the importance of isolating from other members of the household and wearing a mask. Persons unable to self-isolate at home were advised to contact CPS, through their GP, for possible placement in the isolation hotel.
In closing, she advised person who experience worsening of their symptoms to contact their GP urgently.
