What is coronavirus and how do I protect myself?
Common symptoms are fever, tiredness and a dry cough.
At the time of writing, seven people in South Africa had been diagnosed with COVID-19 (coronavirus).
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) the global number of confirmed cases is over 100,000.
What is COVID-19?
It is an infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.
What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms are fever, tiredness and a dry cough.
ALSO READ : Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms: What are they and how should you protect yourself?
Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhoea.
How does COVID-19 spread?
It can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth when a person who has the virus coughs or exhales. The droplets land on objects and surfaces. Other people catch the virus by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
People can also catch the virus if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. It is therefore important to stay more than one metre away from a person who is sick.
How do I protect myself?
* Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
* Maintain at least a one metre distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
* Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
* Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
* Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.
* Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 hotspots (cities or local areas where COVID-19 is spreading widely). If possible, avoid travelling to places – especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease.
Why? You have a higher chance of catching COVID-19 in one of these areas.
Is there a vaccine, drug or treatment for COVID-19?
To date, there is no vaccine and no specific antiviral medicine to prevent or treat COVID-2019.
However, those affected should receive care to relieve symptoms.
People with serious illness should be hospitalised. Most patients recover thanks to supportive care.
Possible vaccines and some specific drug treatments are under investigation. They are being tested through clinical trials.
Should I wear a mask to protect myself?
Only wear a mask if you are ill with COVID-19 symptoms (especially coughing) or looking after someone who may have the virus.
Disposable face masks can only be used once. If you are not ill or looking after someone who is ill then you are wasting a mask. There is a world-wide shortage of masks, so WHO urges people to use masks wisely.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
