| Greenville News
Here are some answers to the most frequently asked questions about COVID-19:
What are the exceptions to hospital visitor restrictions?
Prisma Health is the largest medical provider in our area. The health system shared its exceptions to the new restrictions on visitors. As of Friday, Prisma is no longer allowing visitors to its facilities, with the exception of one visitor per patient with pediatric patients, neonatal intensive care unit patients, obstetric patients (who may also have a doula) and for events end of life.
Read More: Pregnant women and coronavirus: providers take precautions for pregnant women, babies
Why aren’t we hearing more about specific patients with a positive test?
Privacy laws (specifically HIPAA, the Health Insurance Liability and Portability Act) restrict the information available about patients. This means that the media are unable to obtain personal information about specific patients and therefore cannot follow their situations.
When you see a story about someone who is going through or has recovered from a diagnosis, it is because that person has decided to openly share their story.
The coronavirus is a pandemic, and what does that mean?
Yes, the World Health Organization last week declared COVID-19, the new coronavirus that infected more than 200,000 worldwide on Wednesday morning, as a pandemic. A pandemic is the worldwide spread of a new disease, according to the WHO.
Who is most at risk?
Anyone can get it, but some are at greater risk of developing severe or even critical symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that older adults and people with serious chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease are at greater risk of becoming very ill.
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What is social distance?
The CDC describes social distance as literally maintaining a space of six feet or more between you and the people around you.
The agency also recommends meetings for a maximum of 10 people.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has ordered restaurants in the state to close their cafeterias as of Wednesday. The governor encouraged companies to offer delivery and sidewalk services.
I’m young and healthy, so why do I need to practice social detachment?
To be honest, it’s not just about you. One of the concerns with this new virus is the possibility of overloading the health system with rapid spread, according to the CDC. Social detachment aims to reduce this by putting fewer people in contact with anyone who may be carrying the virus.
According to several health experts, young, healthy people can catch the virus and carry it for several days without showing symptoms. If these people are not keeping a safe distance from those who are most vulnerable, they are likely to pass the problem on to someone who may not take good care of it.
What do I do if I feel bad?
Prisma Health is offering free virtual tours to anyone concerned about having COVID-19. The visit can help you determine whether your circumstances and symptoms qualify you for the COVID-19 test.
Visit prismahealth.org/virtual-visit/.
What if I have COVID-19?
The CDC recommends that anyone with COVID-19 stay at home away from work, school and public places while resting, hydrating and monitoring symptoms. There is no specific treatment or vaccine for the virus at the moment and DHEC says that most people who contract the virus recover on their own, but patients who become seriously ill can be treated in hospitals.
Can my pet get the virus if I have it?
According to the CDC, there are no reports of pets or other animals falling ill with COVID-19, but it is still recommended that sick people limit contact with animals until more is known about the virus. The agency suggests that someone else take care of your pet, if possible.
I have a medical appointment scheduled. What should I do?
Contact your service provider. The SC Dental Council asked dentists to postpone non-emergency consultations until March 31. Other doctors in South Carolina are following similar protocols and taking precautions to prevent patients from sitting in waiting rooms close to other patients.
The best way to know your options is to call your provider and ask about best practices for keeping you, your employees and others safe. If the consultation is not absolutely necessary now, be prepared for the possibility of it being postponed.
How can I protect myself while traveling?
The best protection is to be aware of the surroundings, wash your hands and try not to touch your face, according to the CDC.
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is monitoring the virus and following guidelines from federal and state agencies.
What is the risk for pregnant women?
The CDC said that pregnant women experience immunological and physiological changes that may make them more susceptible to viral respiratory infections, including COVID-19. However, the agency said we do not know at the moment whether COVID-19 would cause problems during pregnancy or affect the baby’s health after birth.
This is a developing story. To send your own questions, send an email to [email protected].