As the developing Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic continues, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and state health departments (DHS) are monitoring the outbreak and taking steps to protect our communities and public health.

ANPA is offering the following resources for your convenience to help you stay up to date with the latest information and resources for your practice, patients, community, and yourself.

The following are key guidance and information from officials:

• Remain vigilant and monitor the situation
• Preventing and mitigating spread is everyone’s responsibility
• Work closely with your local health department if you suspect COVID-19 in your differential diagnoses, they can provide guidance on testing
• Review your infection control strategies
• Practice and encourage a personal regimen of washing hands, coughing into the crook of your elbow.

Important Resources

This post offers you information and resources regarding COVID-19 from the CDC and Arkansas DHS

Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services:

Click here or follow this link for the most up to date information available for Arkansas.  If the link doesn't work, copy and paste this url into your web browser: https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/novel-coronavirus

CDC Coronavirus Website: 
For Healthcare professionals:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/index.html

For general information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html

WHO Data Form and resource links:

For Healthcare workers: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/who-rights-roles-respon-hw-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=bcabd401_0

General Information:  https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf?sfvrsn=6d3578af_8

COVID-19 Myths:  https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

Emerging respiratory viruses, including COVID-19: methods for detection, prevention, response and control course (3 hour course, no CEs currently available) This course provides a general introduction to COVID-19 and emerging respiratory viruses and is intended for public health professionals, incident managers and personnel working for the United Nations, international organizations and NGOs.

As the official disease name was established after material creation, any mention of nCoV refers to COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus:  https://openwho.org/courses/introduction-to-ncov

Recommended Disinfectants

Take care to wipe down all surfaces with products that have been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use against emerging, enveloped viral pathogens. This is a critical step in keeping you and your facility protected. A list of appropriate cleaning products is being kept by the Center for Biocide Chemistries, which can be found at https://www.americanchemistry.com/novel-coronavirus-fighting-products-list.pdf