Notre Dame Health System Takes Precautions Against Viral Infections
Flu and Respiratory Infection Season Presents Risks for Elderly
New Orleans, LA (March 2, 2020) – With the current global outbreak of the respiratory illness COVID-19, caused by the coronavirus, officials at Notre Dame Health System are being particularly diligent to safeguard the health of residents, employees and visitors at Chateau de Notre Dame, Wynhoven Health Care Center and Our Lady of Wisdom residential facilities, as well as Notre Dame Hospice.
Despite its rapid spread, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the risk of coronavirus to the general U.S. public to be much lower than the influenza virus. Thus far during the 2019-2020 flu season, some 16,000 people have died and as many as 280,000 have been hospitalized from flu in the U.S. alone.
Dr. Hector Cabrera, a medical director at Notre Dame Health System, cautions that adults 65 years and older, along with young children and pregnant women, are at the highest risk for virus-related complications. Because of often comprised immune systems in the elderly, Dr. Cabrera advises anyone with any type of illness symptoms to refrain from visiting the residential facilities until they are well. He also suggests that visitors consider not bringing children into the nursing homes during flu and cold season.
Based on CDC recommendations, Dr. Cabrera says the best protection measures against an outbreak of any type of viral infection are:
· Personal measures such as cough and hand hygiene — cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze; cough into the bend of your arm rather than your hand; and wash your hands routinely with soap to prevent disease and spreading germs to others. Here’s a video on how to properly wash your hands: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZw4Ga3jg3E. Remember to wash for at least 20 seconds or as long as it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.
· Community measures — if you’re sick, stay away from others.
· Environmental measures — clean surfaces regularly to get rid of germs; when flushing toilets, turning on faucets or handling doorknobs in public places, avoid using your hands if possible.
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About Notre Dame Health System: Steeped in rich, Catholic-based tradition, Notre Dame Health System encompasses a spectrum of healthcare services including rehabilitation, independent care, assisted living, memory care, home care and hospice care. Our services are carefully tailored to promote the health of individuals navigating life’s journey and to assist in the needs of those facing critical or end-of-life situations. We proudly service the Gulf South region with top-quality home care offerings and residential communities located in easy-access areas across the Greater New Orleans area. For more information, visit notredamehealth.org and follow the organization on its Facebook page (@NotreDameHealthSystem).