Update on the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) from the Global Down Syndrome Foundation

DENVER, March 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Global and our affiliates have received numerous inquiries about whether or not people with Down syndrome are more at risk than typical people when it comes to exposure to the  coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Many inquiries are related to health risks and many are also related to spring break travel on planes. With coronavirus disease (COVID-19) being categorized as an official pandemic by the World Health Organization, and after discussing with our affiliates, at this moment in time we are comfortable providing the following information.

GLOBAL UPDATE ON THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19)

1.  Are all people with Down syndrome "High Risk"?
While there is no evidence about how people with Down syndrome are affected by coronavirus disease (COVID-19) versus the typical population, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) have categorized certain groups of people as "high risk" in terms of how coronavirus disease (COVID-19) can negatively affect their health:

a. Older adults 
 
b. People who have serious chronic medical conditions like: Heart disease, Diabetes, Obesity, Lung disease, and/or Respiratory Difficulties

2.  Some Precautions to Consider from the NIH & CDC:
We do know that people with Down syndrome are more likely than typical people to have such chronic medical conditions listed above, and as such, following the NIH and CDC precautions should be considered. You can read about those precautions on the NIH and CDC government websites. For individuals considered "high risk" the websites both recommend "Avoid all non-essential travel including plane trips, and especially avoid embarking on cruise ships" amongst many other recommendations.

3.  Extra Precautions to Consider Based on Research
There is research from the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics that points to people with Down syndrome being more likely to develop complications due to respiratory viral infections including H1N1 and RSV, and increased rates of hospitalization. Given this research, if you as an individual with Down syndrome, your child with Down syndrome, or your dependent adult with Down syndrome has a respiratory infection, is just recovering from a respiratory infection, has chronic respiratory issues or pulmonary viral infections, you may want to consider taking the same precautions that would apply to someone who is "high risk."

Some Basic But Important CDC and NIH recommendations to Consider
1. Avoid close contact and stay home when sick ? Read about steps to preventing the illness via the CDC website. Please take note:

• Stay home when you are feeling sick (e.g. fever, cough, itchy throat, chills, etc.).
• Notify a healthcare provider if you are experiencing symptoms.
• Put in extra measures to put more physical distance between yourself and others.

2. Practice good hygiene. Read about the importance of handwashing via the CDC website. Below are some highlights:

• Wash your hands with soap and water regularly for 20 seconds.
• Practice cough and sneezing etiquette, always cover your mouth and nose when sneezing, coughing with a tissue or into the crook of your elbow.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

About Global Down Syndrome Foundation
The Global Down Syndrome Foundation (Global) is the largest non-profit in the U.S. working to save lives and dramatically improve health outcomes for people with Down syndrome. Global has donated more than $32 million to establish the first Down syndrome research institute supporting over 400 scientists and over 2,000 patients with Down syndrome from 28 states and 10 countries. Working closely with Congress and the National Institutes of Health, Global is the lead advocacy organization in the U.S. for Down syndrome research and care. Global has a membership of over 100 Down syndrome organizations worldwide, and is part of a network of Affiliates ? the Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, the Sie Center for Down Syndrome, and the University of Colorado Alzheimer's and Cognition Center ? all on the Anschutz Medical Campus.

Global's widely-circulated medical publications include Global Medical Care Guidelines for Adults with Down Syndrome, Prenatal Testing and Information about Down Syndrome, and the award-winning magazine Down Syndrome WorldTM. Global organizes the Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show, the largest Down syndrome fundraiser in the world. Visit globaldownsyndrome.org and follow us on social media (Facebook, Twitter @GDSFoundation, Instagram @globaldownsyndrome).

SOURCE Global Down Syndrome Foundation