Symptoms of COVID-19

The current situation with the COVID-19 virus is moving through the United States at an alarming rate, people are wanting to know what it is we are looking for?    

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Watch for symptoms"

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses).

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

With the incubation period of up to 2 weeks, many people are carriers and do not even know it exposing their families and all those they come in contact with.  

State agencies across the US are mandating distance, small groups, staying at home and not being in crowds of more than 10 people and this is difficult for some professions.  This is the reason the American Red Cross has limited the size of all classes if CPR classes are still being taught.  CPR classes are currently being taught with screening students before entering the classroom and a maximum of six students as long as there are six feet between and no sharing manikins.

Under the COVID-19 outbreak, if you must take a CPR class, search for options that are adhering to the maximum class size of six and there is a 1:1 ratio with participant and manikin, meaning each student has their own manikin.  Each student should be presented with personal protective equipment such as gloves and a breathing barrier as well as not sharing AED trainers.   There should be sufficient space where there is six feet between each of the participants during lecture and during practice. 

There is also an option where a blended learning or a hybrid class can be taken.  The hybrid class allows you to take the lecture and simulation online and it produces a completion ticket to take to an instructor/training center to complete the hands on skills assessment.  This requires less time in the classroom and often times can be scheduled on a one to one basis.

I hope this information is helpful in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis in the world. 

Barbara Jackson

Barbara Jackson worked through college as a non-traditional student earning her Master of Science degree in health science focusing in health education. Barbara then went on to set for her national credential exam in 2011 earning her CHES (Certified Health Education Specialist) credential as well as being a Licensed Training Provider. Barbara has found her calling as a teacher and began working as a volunteer with the American Red Cross and became a CPR instructor for the Red Cross in 2007, since this time she has earned her teaching credential for American Heart Association and National Safety Council. Barbara is also an adjunct instructor for Arkansas Tech University teaching Responding to Emergencies: Comprehensive First Aid/CPR courses.

More articles by the writer

The current situation with the COVID-19 virus is moving through the United States at an alarming rate, people are wanting to know what it is we are looking for?    

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: "Watch for symptoms"

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure (based on the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses).

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

With the incubation period of up to 2 weeks, many people are carriers and do not even know it exposing their families and all those they come in contact with.  

State agencies across the US are mandating distance, small groups, staying at home and not being in crowds of more than 10 people and this is difficult for some professions.  This is the reason the American Red Cross has limited the size of all classes if CPR classes are still being taught.  CPR classes are currently being taught with screening students before entering the classroom and a maximum of six students as long as there are six feet between and no sharing manikins.

Under the COVID-19 outbreak, if you must take a CPR class, search for options that are adhering to the maximum class size of six and there is a 1:1 ratio with participant and manikin, meaning each student has their own manikin.  Each student should be presented with personal protective equipment such as gloves and a breathing barrier as well as not sharing AED trainers.   There should be sufficient space where there is six feet between each of the participants during lecture and during practice. 

There is also an option where a blended learning or a hybrid class can be taken.  The hybrid class allows you to take the lecture and simulation online and it produces a completion ticket to take to an instructor/training center to complete the hands on skills assessment.  This requires less time in the classroom and often times can be scheduled on a one to one basis.

I hope this information is helpful in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis in the world. 

Vlad Magdalin

Passionate reader | People person | The one behind All dad jokes