March 10, 2020
While it is important to note that there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus disease in our area, TVPOA is working to ensure we are prepared should this outbreak surface in our community. As the disease continues to spread and ignite panic across the country, TVPOA would like to provide you with the knowledge and tools necessary to remain healthy and calm.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
How does COVID-19 spread?
The virus that causes COVID-19 probably emerged from an animal source, but is now spreading from person to person. The virus is thought to spread mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It also may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. Learn what is known about the spread of newly emerged coronaviruses at https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:
- fever • cough • shortness of breath
How can I protect myself against COVID-19?
People can help protect themselves from respiratory illness with everyday preventive actions.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
*Please visit the Center for Disease Control’s website for more information on COVID-19 at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html and Word Health Organization’s website at https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019.
It is understandable that you may feel anxious about the outbreak. Make sure you get factual information from reliable sources to help you accurately determine your risk so that you can take reasonable precautions. It is important to be informed of the situation and take appropriate measures to protect yourself and your family.
TVPOA is taking additional precautions to help prevent the spread of illness. The following cleaning practices are being performed in addition to the daily cleanings done by housekeeping.
- Recreation staff will double up on cleaning common surfaces, equipment, and doorknobs. The Recreation Department also provides hand sanitizer stations and disinfectant wipes throughout the facilities for your use.
- Food service staff will aid in wiping down common surfaces, restrooms, doorknobs and using extra cleaner while washing tables.
- Pro Shops & Golf Course staff will wipe down all hard surfaces down multiple times a day with disinfectant, including doorknobs, bathrooms, and golf cart controls.
- Welcome Center & POA administrative office staff will clean all hard surfaces and doorknobs multiple times a day and will wipe meeting tables down with disinfectant after every use.
In the event COVID-19 spreads to Tellico Village or our general area, TVPOA will activate its Crisis Communications Plan and Procedures. We will keep you informed as new information becomes available. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to subscribe to the Tell-E-Gram, as it is TVPOA’s primary source of communication to property owners.
How can I prepare?
In a media briefing on Monday, Nancy Messonnier, the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, addressed those most at risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19. People who are over 60 years old, as well as those with underlying health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease, are most vulnerable to getting sick or even dying from the novel coronavirus and should take particular precautions to help protect themselves. Messonnier urges you make sure you have plenty of routine medications for blood pressure and diabetes, and over-the-counter medicines and medical supplies to treat fever and other symptoms. Messonnier also recommended higher-risk people and their families stock up on enough household items and groceries so that you will be prepared to stay home for a period of time. It is also recommended that people at higher risk should postpone non-essential travel.
What should I do if I become sick?
If you are ill, you should:
- restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care.
- call ahead before visiting your doctor.
- separate yourself from other people and animals in your home and avoid sharing household items.
Please follow these further recommendations by the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/sick-with-2019-nCoV-fact-sheet.pdf.
There are ongoing investigations to learn more. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available. For the most up-to-date information, bookmark this link https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html.
