Positive Start Counseling Services, Inc. is diligently tracking guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO). As a valued client, we remain incredibly grateful for the trust you place in us when you allow us to provide services to you. We’re committed to transparency and providing you with the information you need to safely access care. That’s why it’s so important to us to share the protocols we are taking to protect the health and well-being of our clients and therapists
On 03/01/2024, the CDC released updated recommendations for how people can protect themselves and their communities from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. The new guidance brings a unified approach to addressing risks from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV, which can cause significant health impacts and strain on hospitals and health care workers. CDC is making updates to the recommendations now because the U.S. is seeing far fewer hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19 and because we have more tools than ever to combat flu, COVID, and RSV.
As part of the guidance, CDC provides active recommendations on core prevention steps and strategies:
- Staying up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This includes flu, COVID-19, and RSV if eligible.
- Practicing good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
- Taking steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.
When people get sick with a respiratory virus, the updated guidance recommends that they stay home and away from others. For people with COVID-19 and influenza, treatment is available and can lessen symptoms and lower the risk of severe illness. The recommendations suggest returning to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, it has been gone without use of a fever-reducing medication.
Once people resume normal activities, they are encouraged to take additional prevention strategies for the next 5 days to curb disease spread, such as taking more steps for cleaner air, enhancing hygiene practices, wearing a well-fitting mask, keeping a distance from others, and/or getting tested for respiratory viruses. Enhanced precautions are especially important to protect those most at risk for severe illness, including those over 65 and people with weakened immune systems. CDC’s updated guidance reflects how the circumstances around COVID-19 in particular have changed. While it remains a threat, today it is far less likely to cause severe illness because of widespread immunity and improved tools to prevent and treat the disease. Importantly, states and countries that have already adjusted recommended isolation times have not seen increased hospitalizations or deaths related to COVID-19.
While every respiratory virus does not act the same, adopting a unified approach to limiting disease spread makes recommendations easier to follow and thus more likely to be adopted and does not rely on individuals to test for illness, a practice that data indicates is uneven.
To make sure you can visit us with confidence, we’re sharing our current procedures, what you should do before you visit us, and tips to stay healthy.
What Are We Doing? – Our office is frequently cleaned, sanitized and sprayed with Lysol.
Tips to Stay Healthy: –
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Staying at home when you are sick
• Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash or coughing/sneezing into your inner arm if a tissue is not available
• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
• Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• Using an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not readily available
What Should You Do Before Visiting Positive Start Counseling Services, Inc.? – The health and safety of our clients, employees, and community members is our absolute top priority. Please do not come to the office if you are sick. If you are sick or want to reduce your exposure, we may be able to provide therapy services to you by the use of video counseling sessions via doxy.me. Please discuss with your therapists and we will be happy to find out if your insurance will cover the services via telehealth.
It’s always a privilege to care for our clients and communities, but even more so during times of need. We remain ready to provide you with the great care you deserve.
Thank you for your continued trust in Positive Start Counseling Services, Inc.
Thank you for your help in maintaining the health and wellness of our community!