How to perform an effective quarantine?

Learn about the difference between the terms quarantine, isolation, social distancing, and the steps you can take inside your home to safeguard your health and that of your family.

After almost two months since the Coronavirus Covid-19 has been declared a pandemic by WHO, mitigation measures remain based on decreased contact among the public.  Terms such as isolation, quarantine and social distancing became the workhorse of the entire government. But what do they mean?

Quarantine:

It applies to people who have been exposed to the virus but have not been diagnosed with it. This measure is mainly applied so that during the incubation period of the disease or manifestation of symptoms, there is no risk of infection to other people. It can usually be done autonomously inside the home with constant monitoring of symptoms.

Isolation:

The isolation measure applies to those people who have been diagnosed with the virus or a contagious disease.  It consists of the separation of the individual from everyone until the contagious state is over.  Without a doubt, this measure is the most rigorous.  Therefore, it is carried out inside hospitals or clinics that have all the necessary elements to maintain the safety of the space used for this purpose.

Social Distancing:

Finally, as recommended by the WHO, we can say that the social distancing measure has been the easiest to implement and most effective in controlling the virus.  Aside from social, it could be called physical distancing as it involves maintaining a considerable space (about 2 meters) between you and others, avoiding group meetings or mass attendance activities.

So far, these measures are the most effective as the virus is a respiratory disease that is transmitted by droplets from the nose or mouth of an infected person.  Its miniscule size can be inhaled and housed in the lungs during an incubation period of 14 days, at which time symptoms develop.

Self-quarantine consists of taking the measures mentioned above and developing them voluntarily.  If you are wondering what the guidelines can help, Formé Medical Center and Urgent Care, with their strong desire to care for the health of the community, shares some tips that you can implement during the Coronavirus crisis.

  1. Stay at home

Avoid leaving your home for activities that are not of primary necessity (i.e. leave only for medical care or to stock up on food). If possible, request that it is taken to your home.  Avoid public transport and crowds.

  1. Keep distance even in your home

Apply the social distancing measure inside of your home and if possible, do not share toiletries.

  1. Contact your healthcare provider

Depending on your situation, report that you have been in contact with a person who is infected or simply doing self-quarantine and will be monitoring your symptoms.  Request a list of alarming factors on which you should react.

  1. Maintain good hygiene practices

Washing your hands more often, using anti-bacterial gel and using gloves, even inside the house, are some practices that could help.  Additionally, cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing with the back of your elbow or with a disposable handkerchief that should be placed immediately into a closed container.

  1. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

The virus can survive for days on some surfaces, so it is not advisable to rub your hands on any mucous membranes.

  1. Avoid visits

This applies both in doing and receiving them. Do not allow anyone in your home who does not live with you, since you do not know for sure the precautions that other people are taking in their homes.

  1. Take care of the vulnerable population

It is well known that children, adults over 60 years of age or people suffering from immunodeficiency diseases, constitute a population group vulnerable to the virus. If a person in their home is part of this group, exercise the measures and even consider voluntary isolation.

  1. Name a responsible adult

If you live with multiple people, designate one in charge of purchases or errands that cannot be made virtually. Make sure that you are not part of the vulnerable population and that you comply with all measures when leaving home.  Once you return, disinfect yourself and wash the clothes used immediately.

These are some of the measures you can implement inside your home.  While it may seem extreme, remember that the disease has taken over 3,781,000 lives in the world and to date no antidote has been found for the disease.  Nonetheless, even if the peak of contagious cases decreases, our behavioral habits will need to be modified until a cure is found.

If you believe that you may be infected with the COVID-19 virus, a test can be performed at Formé. 

Please call 914-723-4900 and schedule an appointment. A Formé member will contact you to give you the results of your test 2-3 days after the exam with care and precaution recommendations depending on your results.

 

 At Formé: Our mission, your health!