COURSE OBJECTIVE

There are many helpful sources of information to help reduce the chance of infection. This online course is designed as a solution for employers to ensure your staff have been given and understand how to reduce the chance of infection in your workplace.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On completion of this COVID Infection Control course you will know;

• The origin of COVID-19
• Common symptoms associated with COVID-19
• The public health response, including NHS guidance, in the UK
• Ways to control Infections in the workplace
• personal protective measures

COURSE CONTENT

• introduction what is a coronavirus?
• novel coronavirus COVID-19
• symptoms
• incubation period
• methods of transmission
• reproductive number
• diagnosis
• treatment
• if you have symptoms
• public health response
• exiting lockdowns
• protecting yourself
• working from home
• workplace hygiene
• workplace policy & planning

CERTIFICATE

At the end of the online Infection Control course there is a 10 question, multiple-choice quiz.  If learners demonstrate their understanding of course content by achieving a minimum score of 80%, we’ll email them their completion certificate.  If learners score less than 80%, they can revisit any part of the course and retake the quiz until they are successful.

The Infection Control certificate is valid for 1 year

IDEAL FOR

All employees who are unable to work completely from home

WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS?

There are different types of coronavirus, affecting both people and animals. When humans become infected they can experience a range of illnesses, from mild colds to more serious diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Disorder (SARS) or Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

Some coronaviruses affect only animals initially, before being transmitted to – and spreading among – people. Research has shown that the SARS coronavirus was transferred to humans from civet cats in China in 2002, while MERS originated in camels before spreading to people in Saudi Arabia in 2012.

NOVEL CORONAVIRUS

When a new strain of coronavirus infects humans for the first time, it is referred to as a novel coronavirus.

In December 2019, an outbreak of novel coronavirus similar to SARS was reported in Wuhan, China. This new strain of novel coronavirus has been named COVID-19.

The precise animal source of COVID-19 has not yet been identified but is suspected to have occurred at a live animal market. There is no evidence to suggest that domestic pets like dogs and cats have been infected by or are spreading COVID-19.

AROUND 1 IN 6 PEOPLE BECOME SERIOUS UNWELL

COVID-19 has been shown to be less deadly but more contagious than SARS. Most people – around 80% – who contract it experience only mild illness similar to a common cold or flu. The most common symptoms are a high temperature, tiredness, and a dry cough. Other possible symptoms include a runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, aches and pains, diarrhorrea and loss of sense of smell or taste.

It’s possible to be infected with COVID-19 but not be unwell, or show any symptoms at all. Around one in six people become seriously ill and develop breathing difficulties.

Older people, and those with underlying health issues such as heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes, are more likely to become very unwell. Other possible risk factors under investigation include gender, obesity, ethnicity and living in a region with poor air quality.

Sadly, even with hospitalisation and intensive medical treatment some patients cannot be saved. Across the world, hundreds of thousands of people have already died because of COVID-19.

Current NHS guidance can be found here

Some steps to consider in work to help reduce infections can be found here

IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS

If you or someone you live with has symptoms of COVID-19 including a high temperature or new continuous cough, to protect other people you should not leave home or go to your GP surgery, pharmacy, or hospital.

In the UK, you should use the NHS’ online symptoms checker tool to find out what to do.

This includes advice on:

• you and others you live with self-isolating – this means not going out at all, even to buy food, collect medicine or to exercise

• when to contact the NHS telephone helpline if your symptoms worsen or don’t improve

• steps to take to reduce any infection spreading among people you live with measures to take to protect anyone you live with who is vulnerable

For any medical emergency you should always call 999 or 112.