Coronavirus CATCH THE FACTS
Knowledge is your first step in staying safe in the crisis
Since January COVID-19, known more commonly as coronavirus, has spread from its point of origin in Wuhan, China, to many parts of the world, including three confirmed cases in New Zealand at the time of going to print. So far, more than 90,000 cases have been confirmed internationally, with the tally growing by the day.
The new strain of coronavirus was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) at the end of 2019. NZ’s first case was confirmed at the end of last month, and the second and third on March 4 and 5.
Ministry of Health officials say Aotearoa is prepared and ready to deal with a coronavirus outbreak should it occur here. The risk of an ongoing outbreak is low-moderate, and the Ministry is monitoring the situation closely.
For up-to-date news and advice, read the Ministry of Health’s website health.govt.nz. We share some facts here ...
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Symptoms of coronavirus are similar to a range of other illnesses such as influenza (the flu). Having any of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have COVID-19. Symptoms include:
✦ Fever
✦ Coughing
✦ Difficulty breathing (breathing difficulties is a sign of possible pneumonia and requires immediate medical attention).
It is not yet known for sure how long symptoms take to show after a person has been infected, but current WHO assessments suggest an incubation period of between one to 14 days, most commonly around five days.
HOW DOES IT SPREAD?
Like the flu, coronavirus can be transmitted from person to person. Scientific evidence confirms that coronavirus is spread by droplets. This means that when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, they may generate droplets containing the virus. These droplets are too large to stay in the air for long, so they quickly settle on surrounding surfaces.
Droplet-spread diseases can be spread by:
✦ Coughing and sneezing
✦ Close personal contact
✦ Contact with an object or surface with viral particles on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
HOW CAN WE KEEP OURSELVES PROTECTED?
The guidelines to stay protected are similar to other viruses such as a cold and flu.
✦ The best way to protect yourself is to practise regular and effective hand washing. Dr Ashley Bloomfield, DirectorGeneral of Health, advises washing hands with soap and water for as long as it takes you to sing “Happy Birthday” twice (about 20 seconds).
✦ Use an alcohol-based
hand sanitiser.
✦ Clean surfaces with disinfectant.
✦ Avoid close contact with anyone showing respiratory illnesses like coughing and sneezing.
✦ If you are coughing and sneezing, protect others by staying home.
✦ If you are without a tissue to sneeze into, do it into the crook of your elbow, not your hands. Do not sneeze into the air!
✦ Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with your hands unless they have been washed thoroughly.
Personal protection
The Ministry of Health says that face masks are not recommended for most people in the community. However, for people with symptoms of an acute respiratory infection, WHO recommends there may be benefit in wearing a face mask to reduce the spread of infection to other people.
WHAT IS THE TREATMENT?
Currently there is no specific treatment for coronavirus, but medical care can treat most of the symptoms.
CAN I BE IMMUNISED?
As this is a new virus, there is currently no vaccine available. Researchers are in the early stages of developing one.
WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH TRAVELLERS ARRIVING IN NEW ZEALAND?
The government has put in place travel restrictions for people arriving in New Zealand who have travelled to or transitted through Mainland China, Iran, Northern Italy and the Republic of Korea.
Anyone who is not a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident who has been in or transitted through these countries will not be permitted entry to our country.
New Zealand citizens returning from Mainland China, Iran, Northern Italy or the Republic of Korea, or who may have been exposed to coronavirus, are selfisolating for 14 days to keep their communities safe. The government is reviewing these restrictions every 48 hours.
If you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of the virus, you should self-isolate for 14 days from the date of close contact. Register with the Ministry of Health.
If you have travelled internationally and have symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath, seek medical advice by first phoning Healthline’s dedicated COVID-19 number 0800
358 5453 or contact your GP, phoning ahead of your visit.