Planning & responding to COVID-19 in the business sector
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- Department of Job, Precincts and Regions – Information, advice, updates and support for business to respond to coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Business Victoria – Information, advice, updates and support to help business plan and respond to coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Creative Victoria – Information for the creative industries.
- Sport and Recreation Victoria – Information for the sport and recreation industries.
- Visit Victoria – Information for tourism and events industries.
COVID-19
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV); and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).
COVID-19 or the Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is an emerging virus belonging to the Coronavirus (CoV) family. This is a large family, which can cause a wide range of illnesses in humans: from mild common colds to deadly respiratory tract syndromes – Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
The information about this virus is now still limited. Scientists have been intensively studying since the first outbreak was reported. Recent studies suggest that 2019-nCoV belongs to the classification Betacoronavirus, which has been found to be genetically related to SARS CoV with a resemblance of 80%. Regarding its virulence and contagiousness – some experts say that, unlike SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, the COVID-19 Virus ‘seems’ to be more contagious but less virulent than SARS.
Genealogy: Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2 based virus) is an RNA based enveloped virus. Enveloped viruses contain a lipid membrane on the cell wall which adheres to the host cell in order to proliferate. This being the case, the cell wall is easily penetrable to most common disinfectants. Common EPA approved disinfectant makeup can be Quaternary Ammonium Compounds, Phenolic Based products and some Hydrogen Peroxide based formulas.
Transmission of COVID-19: Coronavirus is most commonly transmitted from person to person, through droplet nuclei spread out from breathing, coughing or sneezing. Droplets can remain suspended in the air for extended periods and are highly respirable. It can also be spread through contact on surfaces. The virus can remain viable on surfaces from several hours up to 9 days depending on ambient conditions, amount of moisture in droplets, etc. The virus is believed to be most contagious in a person when their symptoms are evident. However, it’s possible that they may be contagious before and after visible signs of symptoms. People who no longer test positive for the virus may still be infectious according to some of the research. Information on the transmission of the Coronavirus COVID-19 is being updated as doctors learn more about the virus and how it spreads. We will continue to provide the most up to date information as quickly as possible.
Symptoms of COVID-19: For confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death. Symptoms can include:
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
The CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure. This is based on what has been seen previously as the incubation period of MERS-CoV viruses.
The Coronavirus COVID-19 is an emerging disease and information is being updated as doctors and researches learn more about the virus. We will continue to provide the most up to date information as quickly as possible
Virus, Bacteria & MRSA
Viruses - A virus is a small infectious organism—much smaller than a fungus or bacterium—that must invade a living cell to reproduce (replicate). The virus attaches to a cell (called the host cell), enters it, and releases its DNA or RNA inside the cell. The virus’s DNA or RNA is the genetic material containing the information needed to make copies of (replicate) the virus. The virus’s genetic material takes control of the cell and forces it to replicate the virus. The infected cell usually dies because the virus keeps it from performing its normal functions. When it dies, the cell releases new viruses, which go on to infect other cells.
Bacteria - Bacteria are microscopic, single-celled organisms. There are thousands of different kinds, and they live in every conceivable environment all over the world. They live in soil, seawater, and deep within the earth’s crust. Some bacteria have been reported even to live in radioactive waste. Many bacteria live in the bodies of people and animals—on the skin and in the airways, mouth, and digestive, reproductive, and urinary tracts—without causing any harm. Such bacteria are called resident flora, or the microbiome. Many resident flora are actually helpful to people—for example by helping them digest food or by preventing the growth of other, more dangerous bacteria. Only a few kinds of bacteria cause disease. They are called pathogens. Sometimes bacteria that normally reside harmlessly in the body cause disease. Bacteria can cause disease by producing harmful substances (toxins), invading tissues, or doing both.
MRSA - is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a type of staph bacteria that is resistant to several antibiotics. In the general community, MRSA most often causes skin infections. In some cases, it causes pneumonia (lung infection) and other issues. If left untreated, MRSA infections can become severe and cause sepsis-a life-threatening reaction to severe infection in the body.
MRSA Symptoms can include:
Most staph skin infections, including MRSA, appear as a bump or infected area on the skin that might be:
•Red
•Swollen
•Painful
•Warm to the touch
•Full of pus or other drainage
•Accompanied by a fever
MRSA Transmission - Anyone can get MRSA on their body from contact with an infected wound or by sharing personal items, such as towels or razors that have touched infected skin. MRSA infection risk can be increased when a person is in activities or places that involve crowding, skin-to-skin contact, and shared equipment or supplies. People including athletes, daycare and school students, military personnel in barracks, and those who recently received inpatient medical care are at higher risk.
MRSA Disinfection Method should include:
•Launder all clothing/bedding/towels with color safe bleach in hot water.
•Surface wipe all areas with Hospital Grade quaternary disinfectant (especially high contact areas).
•Electro Static Spray application of surface protector.