BCCA Health Advisory

Per the CDC, there is currently no treatment or vaccine for COVID-19 as of now. A positive test will indicate that a person needs to self isolate. Similar to how we manage the flu, people infected with COVID-19 need to stay at home, drink fluids and take over the counter medications until they recover. The average time a person takes to recover from COVID-19 is 2 weeks, for those with severe symptoms could take 3-6 weeks to recover.

Similar to flu or other infectious diseases, if an individual is not sick, they do not require testing. Currently, testing is being done by request of a healthcare provider for sick individuals.

BCCA is working with public health officials to ensure the school is exceeding all safety and precaution standards. We are also ensuring that soap, hand sanitizer and tissues are available throughout the school before reopening.

BCCA will determine this based upon the Executive Order from the GOvernor and the guidelines provided by the NCDHHS and the CDC.

Children who are under the age of 18 experience a mild form of this illness (similar to a cold). Those who have a more serious illness tend to be older adults and those with chronic health conditions. Healthy people or individuals without any respiratory symptoms can interact as usual with other members of the family or members of the public.

For individuals over the age of 60 or who have chronic medical conditions living in your home they are considered to be more at risk from this virus. If you are near them, we recommend that you wear a mask.

While there is no evidence from the CDC that pregnant women are at higher risk of getting COVID-19, we still recommend that if you are pregnant you should stay away from anyone that is ill and follow proper social distancing guidelines. If this is not possible, wear a facemask around ill people.

If a sick person cannot wear a mask, then the caregiver should wear a mask when within 6 feet of the sick person.

If a mask is unavailable, utilize something else to cover your nose and mouth that allows breathing.

COVID-19 is a new disease and the CDC is still learning how it is spread. With this being said, so far it is assumed that it is mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how flu spreads. For more information please visit here.

COVID-19 spreads similar to viruses such as the flu. If you are or have been in close contact to someone sick with COVID-19 for an extended period of time you are at a heightened risk for infection. According to CDC, close contact is closer than 6 feet for more than 10 minutes from a person who is infected.

Cleaning surfaces such as door knobs, counters, light switches, faucet handles, toilet handles and anything else that is commonly touched where germs can collect has been shown to be effective as a preventative measure. This should be done daily if someone is ill.

This is called asymptomatic where someone shows no symptoms. Per reports, people spreading COVID-19 before they become symptomatic have been reported. However, this is not typically how the disease is spread. Similar to flu, the people with the most symptoms are the most infectious.

This new respiratory virus was identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

Symptoms can range differently for each person infected with COVID-19. Mild to severe respiratory illness is reported with a cough, fever, difficulty breathing, and more. For more information on the symptoms, please visit the CDC COVID-19 symptoms page.

At this time, there is not enough evidence to support COVID-19 being linked to animals according to the CDC. With this being said, it is always a good idea to continue proper handwashing practices after touching your pets.