COVID-19 cases are on the rise 

All caregivers should take appropriate precautions when caring for a patient with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 as an important step to staying healthy

Respiratory hygiene is essential to stop the spread of respiratory illness. Essential steps in protecting yourself, patients and the community include the following:

1. When individuals enter a healthcare setting that have symptoms of COVID-19, influenza or other communicable respiratory illness, such as cough, runny nose, or sneezing, provide them with an isolation mask.  An N95 or other fit-tested mask is not necessary.
2. A properly applied isolation mask should cover both the nose and the mouth.
3. For patients with a confirmed or suspected respiratory illness, it is important to ensure an isolation mask is in place on the patient during any transportation outside of the room.
4. Communicate between departments confirmed or suspected communicable respiratory illness to ensure receiving department is able to take appropriate precautions.
5. Ensure appropriate isolation signage is in place for communicable respiratory illnesses, based on transmission type (INTEGRIS Health Policy IP-0109)
6. In the hospital setting, an airborne isolation infection room (AIIR) is not required for COVID-19 unless aerosol generating procedures are being performed