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.