Regence’s Dr. Oliveira shares tips to protect yourself and others from coronavirus (COVID-19)
Practice healthy habits as you would during a normal cold and flu season
As of Feb. 27, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports there are more than 82,000 cases of COVID-19, the official name of the coronavirus first detected in Wuhan, China. This includes confirmed cases in 37 countries, including 53 controlled infections in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We will continue to update our main Regence Newsroom post with additional information and coverage of COVID-19.
Locations with confirmed COVID-19 cases. Map via CDC.gov
Similar to the cold and flu season, it’s important to practice healthy habits and stay informed to protect yourself and others. Dr. Oliveira, senior executive medical director at Regence BlueShield, joined Q13 TV to discuss COVID-19 and how to stay safe as world leaders try to better understand and contain the new coronavirus. Watch the full recording below.
Highlights from Dr. Olivera include:
Protect yourself and others: Wash your hands and clean household surface areas regularly. If you’re feeling sick, stay home and try to reduce the risk of spreading infections.
Symptoms of COVID-19: The virus appears to be at least as contagious as the typical flu, with similar flu-like symptoms including fever, cough or shortness of breath. Monitor your health and any possible exposure to the virus—if you start feeling worse or think you may have encountered COVID-19, call your doctor’s office. Given the low prevalence of COVID-19 in the United States, it’s likely you have the flu if you’re feeling sick and haven’t been exposed.
Treatment: There’s a vaccine being tested but it’s at least a year away, and an antiviral medication usually used for HIV is also being studied. In the meantime, people who get COVID-19 are treated with the same supportive medications as someone who comes down with the flu.