COVID-19, commonly known as coronavirus, is a respiratory illness first discovered after an outbreak in Wuhan, China in December 2019. There is still much that is unknown about the virus; its origination, how it spreads, how to treat it, and how to control it.
You’ve likely had many questions from your own employees and are searching for information on workplace best practices for COVID-19. Here is what we know so far (data retrieved from World Health Organization (WHO).
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is one of a large group of viruses known as “coronavirus” that can cause illness in animals and humans. The resulting illness can be mild, like a common cold or more severe, such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) or the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). COVID-19 is the most recently discovered coronavirus. It is believed to have originated in Wuhan, China in December 2019.
Symptoms of COVID-19
Some people who are infected with COVID-19 display no symptoms at all and will require no medical treatment. For those who do develop symptoms, these symptoms can be mild, e.g cough, runny nose, nasal congestion, diarrhea, sore throat, and minor aches and pains which may gradually increase in severity. Some people may experience more severe symptoms including difficulty breathing which can develop into pneumonia. Around 80% of those who contract COVID-19 will recover without medical treatment.
Risk factors
People who have underlying medical conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and the elderly are more likely to become seriously ill after being infected with COVID-19. Anyone with an underlying medical condition who experiences coronavirus symptoms including fever, cough or difficulty breathing should seek immediate medical attention.
How does the virus spread?
COVID-19 is spread person-to-person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which spread when a person coughs or exhales. If a person touches an object contaminated by these droplets and then touches his eye, nose or mouth, he can become infected. It can also be caught by breathing in those droplets from an infected person.
Best workplace practices
The WHO gives these tips for preventing the spread of coronavirus among your employees:
- Stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from anyone who is sick.
- Cover mouth and nose with your bent elbow when sneezing or coughing.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Stay up to date on places where COVID-19 is spreading (hot spots) and avoid traveling to and from those areas.
- Wash hands frequently with alcohol-based soap and warm water.
- Keep workplaces clean and hygienic. Clean surfaces with a disinfectant regularly.
- Limit employee travel and avoid business trips to places with confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Businesses must develop a contingency plan to deal with COVID-19 should it arise within your community. Many businesses are urging employees to telecommute until more about the potential risks are known.
Zedd Customer Solutions wants to help with your call centre solutions as we all learn more about COVID-19. We have work-at-home agents who can help with your call centre outsourcing needs, allowing you to maintain a seamless customer experience for your clients. With an increasing need for workplace flexibility, Zedd can help you with call centre solutions as we all try to stay safe and well-informed about COVID-19. Contact us to learn more.