What is Covid-19?
Human coronaviruses are common throughout the world. The name corona refers to a crown because these viruses have crown-like spikes on their surface when viewed under an electron microscope. There are many different coronaviruses identified in animals but only a small number of these can cause a disease in humans.
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Symptoms:
Common Symptoms:
- Fever
- Dry cough
- Trouble breathing
- Sore throat
Other Symptoms:
It is possible that patients will suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea before the respiratory symptoms occur. However, the community should remember Covid-19 is primarily a respiratory virus.
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Testing:
To test, a swab will be taken from inside your nose and mouth, which will be sent to the laboratory for Covid-19 testing.
You should receive the results within 48 to 72 hours, and you should self-quarantine at home until the results are known.
Prevention:
You can protect yourself and help prevent spreading the virus to others by:
• Washing your hands regularly for 20 seconds, with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub/sanitiser.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or flexed elbow when you cough or sneeze and throw used tissues in the trash.
• Avoid close contact (one metre to three metres) with people who are unwell.
• Stay home and self-isolate from others in the household if you feel unwell.
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Contact numbers:
Hotlines for public: 0800 029 999 or 0800 111 132.
Sources: National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), Life Healthcare and Netcare
* Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).
Have a story?
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist) busiv@caxton.co.za.
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