What is COVID-19?
Previously called the Novel Coronavirus, it is a respiratory illness that is part of a family of viruses that includes the common cold, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).
Symptoms
Fever, dry cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, fatigue, acute diarrhoea (some cases).
In severe cases: pneumonia, kidney failure and SARS.
Mode of Transmission
Person to person when an infected carrier coughs or sneezes.
Teatment
- Visit your nearest health facility or doctor
- Take prescribed medications
- Get plenty of rest
- Drink plenty of fluids
Prevention
- Wash hands with soap and water (use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if water and soap are not available).
- Cover nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Dispose of tissue immediately after using. Cough and sneeze into the crook or your elbow if you do not have a tissue.
- Avoid touching your face.
- Practice social distancing (e.g. no hugging, kissing or handshaking, avoid mass gatherings).
- Stay at home if you are ill. Avoid close contact with people who have flu-like symptoms.
- Sanitize hard surfaces (e.g. table tops, hand rails, door knobs, trolleys as often as possible)