HOTELS & COVID-19

Frequently Asked Questions about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Information provided by: RONALD A. PRIMAS, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.P.M.

COVID-19 Basics

Q: What is COVID-19?

A: Coronaviruses can make humans and animals sick. Some coronaviruses can cause illness similar to the common cold and others can cause more serious diseases, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). COVID-19 is a virus strain, first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China that has only spread in people since December 2019. The virus seen in mainland China is called ‘novel’ because it is new. It has not been detected before this outbreak. Cases of COVID-19 are now being reported in many other countries. It is likely that the virus originally came from an animal and there is now evidence that it can spread from person to person. Health experts are closely monitoring the situation because little is known about this new virus and it has the potential to cause severe illness and pneumonia in some people.

Q: How does COVID-19 spread and what are the symptoms?

A: COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets from direct contact with a person while they are infectious, which means to become infected, people generally must be within six feet of someone who is contagious and come into contact with droplets when a person with a confirmed infection coughs or sneezes as well as touching objects or surfaces that were contaminated by droplets (like those from a cough or sneeze) from a person with a confirmed infection and touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

 Q: How long does it take for symptoms of the COVID-19 to appear?

A: CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as two days, or as long as 14 days after exposure. This is based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS viruses. There are isolated reports of individuals transmitting the infection to others before they develop symptoms. To be cautious, many governments are requiring an isolation period of 14 days for people returning from endemic areas. The length of time that a person is infectious (that is, can spread the infection to others) is not yet known. However, there is evidence of people without any symptoms or with minimal symptoms transmitting the infection to others. It is therefore likely that a person can spread the infection from before the time they first develop symptoms until up to 48 hours after symptoms stop.

Q: Who is most at risk of having more serious infectious outcomes?

A: From previous experience with other coronaviruses, the people at highest risk of serious infection are: people with compromised immune systems, elderly people, pregnant women, very young children and babies (although thus far, complications in children is rare), and people with diagnosed heart and lung conditions including asthma.

Q: Should I be tested for COVID-19?

A: Call our office if a guest feels sick with fever, cough or difficulty breathing, and has been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or if they live in or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19. Dr. Primas will work with New York State Department of Health and the CDC to determine if they need to be tested for COVID-19. As of March 8, 2020, nasal and throat cultures for the virus will be made available with results generally in 48 to 72 hours.

Prevention

Q: Is there a vaccine?

A: Currently, there is no vaccine available.

Q: How can I best protect myself and staff?

A: Practice the following:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds and dry them well. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol or benzalkonium chloride foam.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Standard household cleansers and wipes are effective in cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• It’s currently flu and respiratory disease season and CDC recommends getting vaccinated, taking everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs, and taking flu antivirals if prescribed.

   Q: Should I wear a face mask? Will that help protect me?

A: Masks do help to stop the spread of infection, so they can help if someone who is actively sick wears them. However, when it comes to COVID-19, it is unclear how effective protective masks are. Currently the CDC does not recommend masks for healthy individuals. If you are not sick and do not have symptoms, maintaining proper infection control such as frequent hand washing and cough etiquette is the best form of protection.

Q: How is COVID-19 treated?

A: There is currently no FDA approved medication for COVID-19. People infected with this virus should receive supportive care such as rest, fluids and fever control, to help relieve symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions.

Hotel Staff

Hotel staff cannot work in hotels if they:

1) have left (excluding airport transfers) mainland China, Iran, northern Italy or the Republic of Korea in the last 14 days (they must self-isolate for 14 days from their departure) 

2) have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus in the last 14 days (they must isolate themselves for 14 days after the date of last contact with the confirmed case) or 

3) exhibits symptoms consistent with COVID-19

If an employee develops symptoms within 14 days of being anywhere in a country or area of concern, or within 14 days of contact with a documented case of COVID-19, you should contact the NYS DOH at 1-866-881-2809.

Hotel management should provide information and brief all employees and contract staff, including housekeeping food service and maintenance staff, on relevant information and procedures to prevent the spread of coronavirus to people in the hotel setting. You should inform staff who meet the above criteria that they should self-isolate and not come into work. Depending on their job, they may be able to work remotely from home. Employees should advise the hotel’s management if they develop symptoms during the self-isolation period, particularly if they have been in the workplace.

Hotel Guests 

If a person who has self-isolated or has been in a country or area of concern in the past 14 days develops symptoms, they should be advised to notify the front desk for medical assistance. Staff should avoid contact with guests who become unwell and seek appropriate medical advice if this occurs. The risk of guests who may be infected staying in hotels is currently very low. It is important that the hotel provides guests with information about COVID-19 to prevent spread upon their arrival to the hotel. Please call our office to determine whether the guest needs medical attention or referral to a hospital. Dr. Primas will consider testing the guest for COVID-19 and provide advice on their care. For guests who are severely ill, activate EMS by calling 911 and inform them that the guest may have COVID-19 infection.                                                                          The guest may also be contacted by public health officials who will provide more information and coordinate further care.

Guests in Self-Isolation

If your guests need to self-isolate in a hotel and are not ill, it is important that staff take precautions. The risk to staff should be low if they wash their hands well and the guests do not have symptoms. Staff should avoid close contact with these guests, but it is safe to be in the same room (at a distance) without protective equipment when delivering food, which we recommend that guests have in their room.

Housekeeping staff should avoid close contact with guests who have self-isolated. They should wear gloves while cleaning and use alcohol hand rub before and after wearing gloves. As an added precaution, your staff may wish to wear a surgical mask while cleaning the room. Before entering the room, cleaning staff may inquire if people are well and ask them to put on a surgical mask.

Suggestions 

Don’t panic. Panic causes confusion and a breach in protocol which can ultimately lead to possible transmission.

All staff and guests should be screened with a spot infrared thermometer to ensure a safe distance to prevent spread.

Remove all nonessential reusable decorations from the room like throw pillows, bolsters and decorative throw blankets.

Offer disposable plastic bags to cover any in room remote control unit.

Staff should wear and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, such as gloves, according to existing policies and procedures, as well as following label directions for cleaning products.

Have soap and paper towels in bathrooms at all times. Additionally, engineering staff should ensure that all hand washing sinks are in a state of good repair.

Consider having alcohol-based hand sanitizers in common areas to encourage hand hygiene.

Pay special attention when cleaning to frequently touched surfaces in common areas and bathrooms. Frequently contacted items, such as drinking fountains, faucet handles, door hardware, push plates, elevator buttons, in room remote control devices and light switches, are to be wiped down regularly with cleaners.

No special ventilation precautions are recommended for residential or commercial buildings. Check working windows and both supply and exhaust ventilation systems for proper operation per usual procedures. 

Consider having a voluntary close of communal areas like bars, pool, and gym.

Watch our livestream on the topic HERE.

?Information Provide by RONALD A. PRIMAS, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.P.M.

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