Executive summary
An optimal method for hindering and toning down transmission is to be highly educated about the affliction and how the disease spreads. Safeguard others from disease by remaining something like one meter from others, wearing a fittingly fitted cover, and cleaning up or utilizing a liquor based rub routinely. Have a vaccination chance and follow neighborhood direction (WHO, 2022). The infection can spread from a contaminated individual’s mouth or nose in little fluid particles when they hack, wheeze, talk, sing or loosen up. These particles range from more gigantic respiratory drops to more inconspicuous sprayers. It is basic to rehearse respiratory tolerability by hacking into a flexed elbow, remaining at home, and opening up until recuperation, hoping to feel unwell. The COVID-19 pandemic has basic repercussions for forefront delegates, and for the most part, clinical thought laborers experience tension, horror, and sleep deprivation.Balancing the commitment to work with trepidation about being corrupted and imparting infection from work to home or vice versa around is a focal issue for state-of-the-art laborers during a pandemic. Various measures should be believed to defend the state-of-the-art legends facing conflict and stop the Coronavirus pandemic.
Introduction
COVID-19 is a disease brought by SARS-CoV-2 and was found in December 2019 in Wuhan, China (WHO, 2022). Most individuals with COVID-19 have gentle side effects; however, specific individuals become seriously ill. Some individuals incorporating minor or no side effects might experience the ill effects of post-COVID conditions – or “post COVID.”COVID 19 is effectively transmittable in a clinical working environment since this is at the forefront of the fight against the coronavirus. They enjoy the contamination way and manners by which the infection is communicated in the clinical work environment and different ways of forestalling contamination and spreading.
Nature of the COVID- 19 virus and Chain of infection
The coronavirus is brought about by contamination called SARS-CoV-2. It is fundamental for the Covid family, which wires standard contaminations that impact a game-plan of hardships from head or chest colds quite far illnesses and special respiratory issues (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory condition (MERS).
Covids incorporate a lipid envelope containing a positive single deserted RNA and are everything considered depicted by club-like spikes projecting from their surface (Badu et al., 2020). They all around achieve respiratory defilements with delicate to excellent outcomes in individuals. Regardless, they are particularly frustrating, and eventual quick work of their ability to spoil different host species C. Covids are restricted into four major sub-packs to be unequivocal; alpha, beta, gamma, and delta-Coronaviruses. These get-togethers can be found in run-of-the-mill life-like (bats, Coronaviruses) and creatures species like cows (cow-like Coronaviruses), goats, and sheep (Phan, 2020).
Nonetheless, a few Coronaviruses are zoonotic. Their expansive procured gathering, steady genomic recombination, and widening human-animal interfacial contact, novel Coronaviruses sorted out for human dirtying (human Coronaviruses) are undoubtedly going to emerge occasionally(Bielicki et al., 2020). Similarly, as with other respiratory contaminations, Coronaviruses spread quickly through drops that individuals project out of their mouth or nose when one takes in, hacks, wheezes, or talks.
As acquired changes to the infection happen after some time, the SARS-CoV-2 polluting outlines hereditary parentages. Besides, as a family has a genealogical record, the SARS-CoV-2 ailment can likewise be coordinated (Badu et al., 2020). Fragments of that tree have different properties that change how rapidly the polluting spreads, the reality of difficulty it causes, or the ampleness of meds against it. Specialists suggest the debasements with these developments as “combinations.” They are still SARS-CoV-2; regardless, they could carry on of no place.
Like other respiratory infections, Coronaviruses spread rapidly through drops that project out of one’s mouth or nose when someone takes in, hacks, wheezes, or talks. Genetic changes to the infection occur later, so the SARS-CoV-2 tainting frames genetic legacies. In like manner, as a family has a genealogical record, the SARS-CoV-2 sickness can be organized out(Badu et al., 2020). Segments of that tree have various qualities that change how quickly the defilement spreads, the truth of the disease it causes, or the plentifulness of medicines against it. Experts allude to the sicknesses with these movements as “assortments.” They are still SARS-CoV-2; they could carry one of the blues in any case.
Impact of COVID- 19 on patient and clinical practice
In mid-2020, the world encountered a phenomenal health emergency, specifically the Covid infection 2019(Coronavirus) pandemic proclaimed by the World Health Association in February 2020. To date, there is no proof of any powerful treatment. Mild/moderate cases can be overseen at home with self-disconnection, suggestive treatment, and follow-up if the sickness worsens.
Coronavirus carried unexpected and emotional changes to regular day-to-day existence since the control system was physically removed. Specialists and medical care experts overall at different levels of preparation are at the cutting edge in the fight against the ongoing Covid- 19 pandemic. This exceptional circumstance commanded various measures to influence clinical practice, education, and scholarly work. Different elements are employable, for example, physical removal, specialists’ need to proceed with care arrangements on the occasion of high demand, result in not used to conditions, conceivable need to master new abilities in a brief time frame, and the need of youthful specialists to be sent securely and be directed to support their preparation(Zhang et al., 2020). An internet-based review was led to investigate the expert and academic effect of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on doctors’ clinical practice, clinical instruction, and examination exercises in worldwide accommodation tests of specialists at the pinnacle of the pandemic.
The main changes experienced practically speaking because of the COVID-19 pandemic were seeing fewer patients in facilities than expected and utilizing telemedicine to direct tolerant visits. The number of daily close encounters was influenced by the kind of resident and the pandemic state. During the pandemic, daily close contact numbers of all sorts of patients were much lower than during the typical time (Zhang et al., 2020). During the regular and pandemic eras, Hong Kong residents had close contact with seventeen and seven other people every day, respectively (Zhang et al., 2020). Almost everyone said they would use a mask in all public indoor venues if they experienced symptoms during the epidemic. The COVID-19 outbreak in Hong Kong had a profound impact on human behavior. COVID-19 infection risk was reduced by more than forty-seven percent due to close contact management.
Covid-19 prevention, control measures, and standard special precautions
Because the COVID-19 pandemic caused so many changes, people had to adjust to a new way of life, a new system, and habits to control the spread and avoid infection. During the COVID-19 epidemic in Hong Kong, the number of people who had close contact with others decreased by 59 percent, and the total close contact duration decreased by 10%(Bielicki et al., 2020). The intense spreading of Coronavirus episodes was reduced by 63.1 percent due to these changes in human behavior. Close contact management is crucial in a clinical setting since many individuals, from physicians to patients, visitors, and hospital personnel. Immediate contact management contributed to a reduction in illness risk of over 47%. (Zhang et al., 2020). As a result, promoting positive anti-contamination behavior should be a vital component of any mediation plan.
Maintain good hygiene and immunity. This means that someone shouldn’t contact their eyes, mouth, or nose. It is important to remember to keep one’s hands clean, regulate body temperature, and so on. Covering one’s mouth and nose with tissue paper and throwing it away immediately if someone is sneezing or coughing (Bielicki et al., 2020). Employees must wear masks in common areas of the office (such as the toilet, changing room, conference room, pantry, and so on) and maintain a safe social distance from others. Employees should keep a distance of at least one and a half meters from one another whenever wearing a mask is not practical, such as when eating, showering, or doing intense physical labor.
Finishing the immunization program. All Hong Kong citizens will be vaccinated against COVID-19 as part of the government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program (Bielicki et al., 2020). Vaccination is one of the most effective methods of prevention.
Maintaining a distance of at least 1.5 meters between users is vital(WHO,2022). If other showerheads or cubicles are required, utilize them since they are not within enclosed individual stalls. Cleaning and disinfecting the shower cubicles should be done at least once every four hours. Personal goods, such as towels, should not be shared.
Relevant policies and Public Health Guidance in Hong- Kong
Covid spread is earnestly going after for sure, people, advancing regular daily existence surprisingly. All areas of society – including managers and laborers – ought to expect a section to protect themselves and help hinder the spread of the sickness. WHO is giving appeal and invigorated information on COVID-19, how managers can protect their delegates, what gauges they should take in the workplace, and other related factors(WHO,2021). The WHO and state-run organizations overall gave introductory courses of action to assist with doing combating the Coronavirus pandemic.
The following measures were set up for those showing up in Hong Kong. Firstly, All travel/move travelers from abroad places and Taiwan to introduce adverse outcome evidence of fundamental nucleic analysis while getting onto a trip for Hong Kong. Secondly, all visitors should remain at the Designated Quarantine Hotels (DQH). All inbound explorers are moreover expected to present a prosperity disclosure structure. All inbound wayfarers should pass temperature checks and perform prosperity affirmations upon appearance. Those found with secondary effects will be insinuated by the Department of Health for extra consideration.
The accompanying strategies and measures were seen when a Confirmed Case of COVID-19 was experienced. Right off the bat, Cleaning and Disinfection of the Environment. Cleaning staff would wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including a cover, Plastic gloves, Expendable outfit, Eye security (face shield), and a cap. Secondly, the Staff preparing should clean the cutting edge cleaning staff got preparing with ecological sterilization methods and regulating staff ought to have perused and acquainted with the sanitization rules(Chau et al., 2010). Thirdly Enhanced Environmental Disinfection is finished by; Cleaning all conceivably corrupted surfaces or things by including 1 out of 49 debilitated family fade leaving for fifteen to thirty minutes, and a short time later flush with water and wipe dry. Assuming There is Blood, Secretions, Vomitus, or Excreta Spillage, Take Enhanced Measures: first, Cleaning staff should wear appropriate individual cautious stuff (PPE), including cautious cover, gloves, extra outfits, eye confirmation (goggles), and cap (optional). Subsequently. Use forceps to hold the strong retentive disposable towels to wipe away the blood, releases, vomitus, or excreta during a whole clean up. Then, the forceps and involved spongy unnecessary towels in a garbage bin warily without polluting oneself/the environment. At last, disinfect with one of each four debilitated family blanches.
The Hong Kong government put an action to guarantee residents were immunized. The public authority revealed that the execution approaches for Vaccine Pass, requiring all individuals who enter or are accessible at a movement of premises (counting cooking premises and all arranged premises oversaw under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F)) to have gotten somewhere near one piece of COVID-19 counter acting agent with sway. Given the incredibly frantic scourge situation in Hong Kong with the quantity of new cases staying high reliably, the public authority needs to execute Vaccine Pass and further fix social eliminating measures with the ultimate objective of lessening the movement of people and containing transmission risk locally.
Unlike most other nations globally, the Hong Kong government did not declare a lockdown. The Hong Kong government said any decision to impose a Covid-19 lockdown would consider the global financial hub’s prominence and fundamental requirements. It encouraged worried citizens who flocked to stores this week not to panic. The government stated that it would “protect Hong Kong’s standing as a financial hub” when adopting the Compulsory Universal Testing program (CNBC, 2022). On the other hand, the Hong Kong authorities imposed harsh social distancing measures. This was done to limit the danger of transmission from one person to another and lower the infection rate. The coronavirus spreads through the air by touching or being near infected individuals, implementing social distancing measures.
The number of individuals attending hospitals has decreased in clinical settings. Those infected with COVID-19 or showing signs of COVID-19 were given priority when visiting the hospital. This was done to prevent infected citizens from contacting non-affected individuals. Patients treated with COVID-19 must first quarantine themselves to ensure that the virus does not spread further into the general population. Health personnel was obligated to adhere to all surgical precautions, including sterilization and masks, among other things. These safeguards ensured the safety of both patients and medical personnel.
Audit, surveillance, and risk assessment
Health workers are at expanded risk for severe intense respiratory disorder COVID-19 and a potential wellspring of nosocomial transmission bunches. Notwithstanding the expanded gamble, the best reconnaissance system and the executives of uncovered Health workers are not yet well known. Health workers have a high risk of procuring contamination while focusing on Covid illness 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Specifically, a few openings and their length and the lack of non-utilization of individual defensive hardware (PPE) are related to expanded contamination risk(Calò et al., 2020). Severe disease anticipation and control strategies (IPC), good preparation programs on the proper utilization of PPE, and close checking of health workers with side effect observation and testing are fundamental to lessen the gamble. There isn’t sufficient proof to give clear signs concerning pre-openness prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-openness prophylaxis (PEP).
The evaluation of the gamble is obligatory to recognize the suitable systems to stay away from SARS-CoV-2 contamination in HWs. In examining hazards, the kind of contact, the dangers connected with natural pollution, and adherence to IPC estimations should be considered(Calò et al., 2020). In light of the degree of openness and the utilization of sufficient PPE, a high-risk openness was characterized as a Health Worker considering a COVID-19 case or lab workers taking care of examples from a COVID-19 point without the suggested or with a potential break of PPE. An okay openness was characterized as a Health Worker wearing the suggested PPE. Albeit the proper utilization of PPE was not related to SARS-CoV-2, wrong word, a deviation of convention might have happened with potential contamination.
Different elements to consider in risk evaluation of HWs going to SARS-CoV-2 subjects incorporate the length of openness, clinical side effects of the patient (e.g., hacking likely increments openness risk), whether the patient was wearing a facemask (which can proficiently obstruct respiratory discharges from defiling others and the climate), whether a spray producing methodology was performed and the kind of PPE utilized by health workers (Chau et al., 2010). Finishing upon this point, for risk evaluation, medical care offices should use polls to propose medical services staff to explore the kind of medical services faculty (for example, clinical specialist, enlisted nurture, and so forth), type of medical services office (for instance clinical unit, ICU, and so forth), sort of contact (eye to eye/inside 1 m or more prominent distance) and kind of system performed on the affirmed COVID-19 patient (for example tracheal intubation, nebulizer treatment, tracheotomy, bronchoscopy, and so on) (Calò et al., 2020). Moreover, these surveys would be valuable to check consistency with IPC, like the correct utilization of PPE as per the sort of system and the conceivable mishap with body liquid/respiratory emissions during the consideration of COVID-19 patients.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The COVID-19 epidemic has thrown the globe into an unusual epoch. People had to follow strict laws and restrictions and completely modify their lifestyles(Chau et al., 2010). Governments have implemented regulations, limitations, and measures to control the spread of the virus and maintain the infection graph downward rather than an increasing trend. Countries have had to resort to drastic measures such as lockdowns and curfews to combat the epidemic. Hong Kong is one of the few countries globally that has not been placed under lockdown. This has been a fantastic approach to avoid financial hardship while still fighting the virus.
Recommendations
What to do if someone feels unwell
Assuming someone has an exhausting fever difficulty in breathing, look for clinical assistance right away. Call by phone first and keep the guidelines of nearby legitimate power. Know the full degree of the aftereffects of COVID-19. The most comprehensively seen side effects of COVID-19 are fever, dry hack, dormancy, and loss of taste or smell. Additional astounding eventual outcomes solidify beating trouble, cerebral pain, sore throat, red or upset eyes, free internal parts, a skin rash, or staining of fingers or toes. Remain at home and quarantine for ten days from delayed consequence beginning, despite three days after optional impacts stop. Calling one’s clinical advantages supplier or hotline forbearing. Have somebody bring home supplies. Accepting that one needs to take off from their home or have someone near them, wear a fittingly fitted cover to do whatever it takes, not pollute others. Keep present-day on the latest information from trusted sources, similar to WHO or close by, and public prosperity subject matter experts (WHO 2021). Close by, and public trained professionals and general prosperity units are best placed to incite how people ought to defend themselves in one’s space.
Fundamental security guidelines while visiting a clinical workplace or hospital
Before venturing out, try to take earlier meetings with one’s primary care physician. It is unequivocally encouraged to do as such to abstain from lining up; call the medical clinic to check, assuming arrangements are to be reserved on the web or via telephone. Secondly, wearing a mask is obligatory; convey a liquor-based sanitizer, gloves, and wet disposable cloths (WHO,2020). It is ideal for bringing a personal container of water from home. To go with the individual arrangement, it is suggested that only another solid individual goes along to try not to stuff at the middle. Those encountering any side effects of hack and cold should ideally remain inside. Pregnant ladies, more established grown-ups, and kids should abstain from visiting an emergency clinic except if it is of the most extreme direness.
For one, drive to the medical clinic and go by a personal vehicle on the off chance one has one. Assuming that someone is to take the public car, it is ideal for pre-booking a taxi/auto-cart alongside the accompanied individual (WHO,2022). Try to clean one’s hands, assuming they have contacted any surfaces, and not touch their face, eyes, or mouth consistently while outside. Also, to pay for an individual vehicle, go credit only. Computerized exchanges will limit the gamble of someone coming in return with paper cash.
While at the emergency clinic, the primary thing one ought to do is guarantee no less than two feet of room among one person and someone else. There could be a high chance of someone interacting with infected individuals; although emergency clinics have committed wards, it is ideal for rehearsing social removal and well-being. Clean up with a cleanser and wash up when meeting with one PCP(WHO,2022). Even though clinics stick to enormous sterilization rehearses, focus on inventions suggested by the staff. For someone’s meeting, convey all essential well-being archives and reports to avoid burning through one arrangement time. Someone might record every one of the subtleties be imparted to their specialist or the inquiries one wishes to pose to stay away from any vulnerability or disarray. Share all data relating to one’s clinical history or condition for detailed analysis and treatment.
References
Badu, K., Thorn, J., Goonoo, N., Dukhi, N., Fagbamigbe, A., & Kulohoma, B. et al. (2020). Africa’s response to the COVID-1wishesndemic: A review of the nature of the virus, impacts, and implications for preparedness. AAS Open Research, 3, 19. https://doi.org/10.12688/aasopenres.13060.1
Bielicki, J., Duval, X., Gobat, N., Goossens, H., Koopmans, M., Tacconelli, E., & van der Werf, S. (2020). Monitoring approaches for health-care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 20(10), e261-e267. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1473-3099(20)30458-8
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021, May 7). Scientific Brief: SARS-CoV-2 Transmission. Retrieved 15 March 2022 from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/sars-cov-2-transmission.html.
Chau, J., Thompson, D., Lee, D., & Twinn, S. (2010). Infection control practices among hospital health and support workers in Hong Kong. Journal Of Hospital Infection, 75(4), 299-303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2009.10.014
CNBC, 2022. Hong Kong urges residents fretting over Covid measures not to panic. [online] CNBC. Available at: <https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/02/hong-kong-urges-residents-fretting-over-covid-measures-not-to-panic.html> [Accessed 16 March 2022].
Coronavirus.gov.hk. 2022. COVID-19 Thematic Website, Together, We Fight the Virus, Inbound Travel. [online] Available at: <https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html> [Accessed 16 March 2022].
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. (2020). COVID-19 situation update worldwide. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
Golbabaei, F., & Kalantari, S. (2020). A Review of the Strategies and Policies for the Prevention and Control of the COVID-19 at Workplaces. International Journal of Occupational Hygiene, 12(1), 60-65.
Kaiser, M. S., Mahmud, M., Noor, M. B. T., Zenia, N. Z., Al Mamun, S., Mahmud, K. A., … & Hussain, A. (2021). iWorkSafe: towards healthy workplaces during COVID-19 with an intelligent pHealth App for industrial settings. Ieee Access, 9, 13814-13828.
Klompas M, Baker MA, Rhee C. (2020, July 13). Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2: Theoretical considerations and available evidence. JAMA. Published online. Doi:10.1001/jama.2020.12458. Retrieved 15 March 2022from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2768396.
Lam, H. Y., Lam, T. S., Wong, C. H., Lam, W. H., Leung, C. M. E., Au, K. W. A., … & Chuang, S. K. (2020). The epidemiology of COVID-19 cases and the successful containment strategy in Hong Kong–January to May 2020. International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 98, 51-58.
Michaels, D., & Wagner, G. R. (2020). Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and worker safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jama, 324(14), 1389-1390.
Rafeemanesh, E., Ahmadi, F., & Memarzadeh, M. (2020). A review of the strategies and studies on the prevention and control of the new coronavirus in workplaces. Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery, 8(Suppl 1), 242.
Sum, Z. Z., & Ow, C. J. (2021). Community pharmacy response to infection control during COVID-19. A cross-sectional survey. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 17(1), 1845-1852.
van Doremalen N, Morris DH, Holbrook MG, et al. (2020, April 16). Aerosol and surface stability of SARS-CoV-2 as compared with SARS-CoV-1. N Engl J Med 382:1564–67. Doi:10.1056/NEJMc2004973. Retrieved 15 March 2022 from https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmc2004973.
WHO. (2022). Coronavirus. Who.int. Retrieved 15 March 2022, from https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2020, June 9). Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: Implications for infection prevention precautions. Scientific Brief. Retrieved July 10, 2020 from https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/transmission-of-sars-cov-2-implications-for-infection-prevention-precautions.
World Health Organization. (2020). COVID-19: operational guidance for maintaining essential health services during an outbreak: interim guidance, 25 March 2020 (No. WHO/2019-nCoV/essential_health_services/2020.1). World Health Organization.
Zhang, N., Jia, W., Lei, H., Wang, P., Zhao, P., Guo, Y., Dung, C., Bu, Z., Xue, P., Xie, J., Zhang, Y., Cheng, R. and Li, Y., 2020. Effects of Human Behavior Changes During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic on Influenza Spread in Hong Kong. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 73(5), pp.e1142-e1150.
write