Love

The Triathletes' Guide to COVID-19

News and Updates
Love

This post has been updated to reflect the latest knowledge and guidance about COVID-19. (May 2021)

What is a coronavirus and COVID-19?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses known to cause respiratory infections. These can range from the common cold to more serious diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

This new coronavirus has been named SARS-COV-2 due to its similarity to the original SARS virus (but with notable differences). First identified in Wuhan, China, this virus causes Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) symptoms of which are cough, fever, shortness of breath, severe pneumonia, and acute respiratory distress. Currently the virus has affected more than 150 countries worldwide.

How is COVID-19 spread?

According to the latest brief from the US Center for Disease Control, the principal mode by which people are infected with SARS-CoV-2  (the virus that causes COVID-19) is through exposure to respiratory  fluids carrying infectious virus.

Exposure occurs in three principal  ways: (1) inhalation of very fine respiratory droplets and aerosol particles, (2) deposition of respiratory droplets and particles on  exposed mucous membranes in the mouth, nose, or eye by direct splashes  and sprays, and (3) touching mucous membranes with hands that have been soiled either directly by virus-containing respiratory fluids or indirectly by touching surfaces with virus on them.

(Current evidence strongly suggests transmission from contaminated surfaces does not contribute substantially to new infections.)

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from inhalation of virus in the air farther than six feet from an infectious source can occur, increasing in likelihood under circumstances that include:

  • Enclosed spaces with inadequate ventilation or air handling within  which the concentration of exhaled respiratory fluids, especially very  fine droplets and aerosol particles, can build-up in the air space.
  • Increased exhalation of respiratory fluids if the  infectious person is engaged in physical exertion or raises their voice  (e.g., exercising, shouting, singing).
  • Prolonged exposure to these conditions, typically more than 15 minutes.

How can we help prevent the spread of COVID-19?

The available evidence continues to demonstrate that existing  recommendations to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission remain effective. These include physical distancing, community use of well-fitting masks  (e.g., barrier face coverings, procedure/surgical masks), adequate ventilation, and avoidance of crowded indoor spaces.

What is social distancing?

Social distancing is one way to help slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. This includes staying at home when you are unwell and keeping a distance of 1.5 metres between you and other people whenever possible.

It is important to minimise physical contact especially with people at higher risk of developing serious symptoms, such as older people and people with existing health conditions.

In the context of endurance sport and racing, that means races and events taking place within the next two to three months are advised to be cancelled or postponed in order to avoid potentially exposing large numbers of people to the virus.

Individual countries and jurisdictions have begun to implement their strategies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in their populations. Some athletes may be able to continue daily training routine with some modifications (no group runs or rides, for instance). Other athletes may be completely homebound due to more aggressive mitigation strategies.

Whichever strategy is in place in your locale, taking these social distancing precautions can help protect the people in your community who are most at risk. While endurance athletes are generally of good health and may experience zero to mild symptoms as our bodies fight off the virus, we may inadvertently expose more vulnerable people to it.

If your local authorities advise you to stay at home, here are ways you can continue to train indoors.

Who is most at risk of a serious illness?

Some people who are infected may not get sick at all, some will get mild symptoms from which they will recover easily, and others may become very ill, very quickly.

(About 20% of cases develop severe symptoms, such as pneumonia requiring ventilators. The percentage of deaths due to COVID-19 stands at around 3-4% globally, although the likelihood rises five-fold in people above the age of 85.)

From previous experience with other coronaviruses, the people at most risk of serious infection are:

  • people with compromised immune systems (i.e. cancer, transplant receivers)
  • elderly people
  • people with diagnosed chronic medical conditions (i.e. asthma)
  • very young children and babies*
  • people in group residential settings
  • people in detention facilities

*At this stage the risk to children and babies, and the role children play in the transmission of COVID-19, is not clear. However, there has so far been a low rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases among children, relative to the broader population.

How is COVID-19 treated?

There is no specific treatment for coronaviruses. Antibiotics are not effective against viruses, and no proven specific treatment or anti-viral drug for COVID-19 is currently available. Most of the symptoms can be treated with supportive medical care, provided based on the patient’s clinical condition.

For many countries, high numbers of COVID-19 patients risk overwhelming hospital facilities, in which case those with mild symptoms are told to self-isolate and recuperate at home.

Self-isolating at home means you:

  • do not go to public places such as work, school, shopping centres, childcare or university
  • ask someone to get food and other necessities for you and leave them at your front door
  • do not let visitors in — only people who usually live with you should be in your home
  • if you reside with family members, you should stay in a separate room and your caregiver must don personal protective equipment (surgical face mask, gloves, gown) when caring for you, then dispose safely of the PPE and wash hands and take other sanitary measures to reduce risk of transmission to other household members. Do not share glasses and utensils.

You do not need to wear a mask in your home. If you need to go out to seek medical attention, wear a surgical mask to protect others.

What do I do if I develop symptoms?

If you develop symptoms (fever, a cough, sore throat, tiredness or shortness of breath) within 14 days of travel from affected areas or within 14 days of last contact of a confirmed case, you should arrange to see your doctor for urgent assessment.

You should telephone the health clinic or hospital before you arrive and tell them your travel history or that you may have been in contact with a potential case of COVID-19.

You must remain isolated either in your home, hotel or a health care setting until public health authorities inform you it is safe for you to return to your usual activities.

For further information, please refer and defer to your country’s public health authorities.

Much information in this document is sourced from:

Header photo by Pille-Riin Priske on Unsplash

Published

Together We Rise

The Pho3nix Foundation assists and inspires children worldwide to achieve their dreams and live healthy, inspired lives through sport.

From kids triathlons and workshops to teen sports camps and assistance for aspiring Olympians, Pho3nix projects create a pathway from participation to professionalism. Pho3nix Club memberships and donations support every step on that pathway.