Coronavirus advice for paid carers - what you need to do
As we recently reported, the UK government has released detailed guidance for those working in the social and community care sectors with regards to the new coronavirus (COVID-19). The guidance is quite lengthy and in-depth, but much of it highlights the importance of good practice, which we should all be undertaking anyway.[ADS]For paid carers, whether self-employed, working for an agency or working in an employed capacity, in service users’ homes or at a residential facility, it’s certainly worth being aware of what this guidance says. It is a good opportunity to review your own practices and processes, to help you deliver safe care and support services to your clients.While the new coronavirus (COVID-19) is getting a lot of media attention at present, the latest government guidance for social care and community care workers emphasises that the risk is still low. With seasonal flu viruses and other viruses changing and evolving every year, much of the guidance that has been released for COVID-19 is the same as normal health and safety and good hygiene advice that all paid carers should already be following.In this in-depth article, we’ll be looking at the coronavirus guidance for paid carers, but much of the advice will be relevant to care workers all year round.
How does the virus spread?
Understanding how the virus spreads makes it easier to ensure you’re following the right procedures to prevent transmission. It’s thought that the COVID-19 virus spreads much like a flu virus – through close contact with a person who has the infection. This is defined as within 2 metres of them. The risk increases the longer that there is close contact. Bear in mind that the incubation period of the virus can be 2-14 days. This means that if you or a client does come into contact with someone known to have the virus, if you are well after two weeks, you have not caught the infection.The virus is mainly spread through coughs and sneezes. The virus is in the airborne secretions, which can then be inhaled by people close by. This is how colds and flu viruses spread. You can also catch the virus by touching a surface that has been touched by a person with the infection, and then touching your own mouth, nose or eyes. It’s thought that the virus can survive on a surface for up to 72 hours.
How can paid carers prevent the spread of the virus?
Simply by practising good hygiene, which should be done anyway when working with elderly and vulnerable people. The most important measure is washing hands for long enough and frequently enough. The guidance suggests that care workers should look to wash their hands before leaving their own home, on arrival at work (whether that’s in a person’s own home or a residential facility), after using the toilet, after all breaks, before preparing food, before eating any food, before leaving work and on arrival at home.Hands need to be washed with soap and water, though you can also use a hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol if you don’t have access to a sink. Between hand washing, you should avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.If you cough or sneeze, make sure that you cover your mouth with a tissue and immediately bin the tissue. If you don’t have a tissue to hand, use the crook of your arm and not your hands. If you do feel unwell, it is best not to attend work. When working with elderly or vulnerable people, even the common cold or a flu virus can lead to more serious complications. If you have any concerns about your symptoms, or have reason to believe you have been in contact with someone infected with COVID-19, call NHS 111 for the most up-to-date advice on what to do next.You should also be sure to clean and disinfect all surfaces, especially surfaces and objects that are frequently touched. If you’re working with a service user in their home, you can help them by cleaning any equipment you use or surfaces you touch. You can also advise them on good practice in their own home.You might have seen some people wearing face masks. However, in your normal working life, these offer little to no protection against any respiratory virus. At the moment, it’s not recommended that care workers need to wear face masks.
Advice specific to the new coronavirus/COVID-19
There are some areas of the guidance that are a little more specific to COVID-19. This is in mainly in terms of infection or potential infection.If you have recently come back from one of the affected areas (see the list here) you may be asked to self-isolate for 14 days as a precaution, and you may be asked to take a test as a precautionary measure. This means staying in your own home and avoiding close contact with people outside the home for two weeks, which is the expected maximum incubation period. Again, NHS 111 will tell you what to do. This is also the case if you come into contact with someone with a confirmed case of the virus. If you remain well after two weeks, no further action is needed. There is a home isolation advice sheet if required.If you are coming back from a trip to a country not listed, you can continue with your daily routine as usual. If you do develop any symptoms of illness, give NHS 111 a ring, but don’t go to your GP. Avoid contact with other people, just as you would with other flu viruses.If you or a member of staff is waiting for testing for coronavirus, there is no need to close a care setting or send other staff home. If you work as a self-employed paid carer, you can self-isolate and inform your clients directly. If someone in a setting has been confirmed with COVID-19, a local Health Protection Team will assess the situation and give next steps.
The final word
At present, there is no evidence of widespread transmission of COVID-19 within the UK, and as such those working in a care setting need not do anything different. Keep practising good hygiene in your settings, which will help with the spread of all common viruses.If the situation changes, we will update this article in line with the latest government advice.