The Covid-19 pandemic continues to pose an increased threat to the health of seniors, especially those with existing medical issues.

As Coronavirus numbers continue to rise, it is recommended that individuals age 65 and older minimize their risk by following the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.

If you or someone you love is in this higher risk group, these guidelines may help:

1. Stay at Home: Seniors should try to stay inside their home as much as possible, with the exception of urgent medical care. Grocery delivery services can be used to limit trips to the store. In addition, seniors should avoid large group gatherings, which increase chances of contracting the virus.
2. Socially Distance: Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between others to limit transmission. This rule does not apply to medical personnel administering care.
3. Wash Your Hands: Regardless of age, everyone should be doing their part by washing their hands often, for at least 20 seconds.
4. Disinfect Surfaces: Cleaning surfaces thoroughly is very important, especially since the virus can persist on some surfaces for up to four days. Most common household cleaners are effective at killing the virus on contact.
5. Wear A Mask in Public: Wearing an approved facial covering in public is an effective measure against the spread of the virus — especially when social distancing is not always possible, like in grocery stores. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, wearing a mask could help prevent the virus from spreading to you. Note that some masks are not recommended for individuals who struggle with their breathing or cannot remove the mask without help.

With several months of winter and flu season remaining, it is more important than ever for all of us to do our part in the fight against Covid-19, but especially to help protect at-risk populations such as seniors