WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS?

 

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new virus. The disease causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and in more severe cases, difficulty breathing.

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HYGIENE & HEALTH TIPS

 

• Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and rinse. Use a clean towel or paper towel to dry.

• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when entering public places and when soap and water are not available.

• Do not touch your face, eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed or un-sanitized hands.

• Use a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing.

• Keep a clean and sanitary work and home environment i.e. wipe your desks, workstation, phones, door handles and taps on a daily basis.

• Do not shake hands and give hugs. Practice social distancing and limit physical contact. Try maintain a distance of 2 meters apart.

• Avoid unnecessary large crowds and should this be unavoidable immediately wash your hands.

• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and eat plenty of fresh fruit and veges to support your immune system.

• Reduce stress and have a minimum of 8 hours sleep

• Stay home if sick.

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WHAT IF?

 

• If you feel you have been exposed to COVID-19, or are showing slight symptoms, please avoid contact with other people in your community and self-isolate.

 

• If you feel you are ill and need non-urgent medical care, call your doctor to ask how to be tested. They will need to follow certain steps to get you the specific care you need.

 

• If you are feeling very ill and need care immediately, call your emergency services or go to the emergency department.

 

WHEN SEEKING CARE, FOLLOW THESE STEPS:

 

• Call your healthcare facility and tell them that you have, or are being evaluated for, COVID-19.

 

• Put on a face mask before you enter the healthcare facility.

 

• Ask your healthcare professional to inform the NICD (National Institute for Communicable Diseases 

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FURTHER IMPORTANT NOTES

 

• If you have returned from international travel or family that has returned from high risk areas, isolate for 14 days.

 

• Avoid unnecessary COVID-19 testing as this will place strain on the resources of the health system. Only test if the systems communicated by national health are present.

 

• Add the number 0600 123456 to WhatsApp and message for the latest, official information and statistics.

 

• Don’t panic buy or hoard groceries.

 

• If your work environment allows, work remotely.