Tips to help keep pandemic at bay

DESPITE information being widely available, many people are still misinformed and don’t know much about the ins and outs of the spread and prevention of the pandemic.

While the government has set up a WhatsApp number where people can receive critical information about updates, prevention, symptoms, treatment, risks, travel, testing and scams, a lot of misinformation is still being spread, especially on social media.

It would appear that one of the biggest concerns was how to protect oneself from the virus. And chief of all messages has been: prevention is better than cure.

The World Health Organisation’s technical head of infection prevention and control, Benedetta Allegranzi, said it was advisable to keep abreast of the latest information on Covid-19.

To take care of your health and protect others, it is critical to do the following:

◆ Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub, or wash them with soap and water. This is important because washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

◆ Maintain at least one metre between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. This is important because when someone coughs or sneezes, they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth that may contain the virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets.

◆ Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up the virus. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body.

◆ Make sure that you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from the virus.

Allegranzi said it was difficult to detect the virus in the early stages, which was one of the main problems.

“Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention, but call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority,” she added.