The BlueSea Care Emergency Prepardeness Protocols are in accordance with the California Department of Social Services; Home Care Bureau

About Covid-19

What Is Covid-19?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness with similar symptoms of SARS that can easily spread person to person via air droplets.

Covid 19 Symptoms

Cough, fever, chills, fatigue, aches, pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, diarrhea, nausea, shortness of breath, chest pain, new loss of taste or smell

Asymptomatic Carriers

It is possible to test positive for Covid-19 with NO symptoms

How Covid-19 Spreads

  • Respiratory Droplets via Cough or Sneeze

  • Person – to – Person Contact

  • Close Contact with Infected Individual (within 6 feet for 10 minutes or more)

  • Close Contact with Infected Surfaces or Objects

How to Prevent the Spread

  • Wear Protective Face Covering While in Public Areas

  • Wash Your Hands Often with Soap and Running Water (20 seconds)

  • Use an Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer that Contains At Least 60% Alcohol to Use in Areas Where Unable to Wash Hands

  • Avoid Touching Your Eyes, Nose, & Mouth with Unwashed Hands

  • Use Tissue, Paper Towel, or Gloves if You Must Contact Commonly Touched Surfaces

  • Practice 6 Feet of “Physical Distancing” from Other Individuals, Stay-At-Home When Possible

  • Ensure Your Vehicle, Work Materials, and Clothing Are Cleaned Every Day

  • Monitor Yourself for Symptoms and Exposure

  • Get Tested Before and After Exposure to Public Spaces

PreCautions Taken By BlueSea Care Home Care Aides

PreCautions

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water

  • Record temperatures before and after shifts

  • Utilize PPE items

  • Wear facial masks

  • Wear disposable gloves

  • Wear excess covering, if necessary

  • Prompt cleaning of any body fluids

  • Safely collect and dispose of waste

Disinfection

  • Disinfecting refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces to lower the risk of spreading infection.

  • Frequently touched surfaces include, but are not limited to, doorknobs, hand/bed railings, remote controls, faucets, toilets, light switches, playing cards, etc. These surfaces should be disinfected regularly.

  • Clean surface with soap and water before disinfecting

  • Use of unexpired, diluted, household bleach solutions, not mixed with any other cleanser and / or alcohol solutions with 70% alcohol

  • Use of disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning

Physical Distancing

Physical distancing measures are taken to limit the number of individuals coming into contact with a client in order to stop or slow the spread of infectious viruses. Physical distancing measures include limiting a large number of people coming together, closing buildings / public areas, and canceling events.

Testing

Viral test check samples from the respiratory system, such as a swab from the inside of your nose, to tell if you currently have an infection with SARS CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.

Testing is conducted for all staff members on a periodic basis while Covid cases are on the rise.

Protocol for Sick Staff Members

Any staff who has symptoms of Covid-19 does not come to work.

If a staff member presents symptoms of Covid-19, the staff member alerts BlueSea Care office representatives immediately in order to call off their shift.

Staff who are sick or have any symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath), are not allowed to work for at least 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines, and until other symptoms have improved. AND at least 7 days have passed since their symptoms first appeared and they have received a NEGATIVE COVID TEST

Staff members are self-screened for respiratory infection symptoms before they start their shift