COVID-19

Coronavirus is a group of viruses that cause a variety of respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological diseases in humans and other animals

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds . If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick and their immediate environment.
• Stay home when you are sick and try to avoid close contact with other household members.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue (or your elbow if no tissues are available), then throw the tissue in the trash. Immediately wash your hands. 
• Wear a face mask  to help prevent spreading the virus to others.
• Stay informed of the progress of the outbreak by accessing the news 
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. The WHO recommends using a diluted bleach solution made of 1 part chlorine bleach to 99 parts water.

Coronaviruses cause respiratory symptoms that can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Symptoms can appear in 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Like flu and colds, coronaviruses are transmitted from person to person via respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Like many cold and flu viruses it is likely that this virus can also be spread from contaminated surfaces to hands and to an individual. What researchers are unsure of is whether the coronavirus can be spread from infected people before their symptoms appear. That would make the virus very deadly

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization.

Most common symptoms:

• fever.
• dry cough.
• tiredness.

Less common symptoms:

• aches and pains.
• sore throat.
• diarrhoea.
• conjunctivitis.
• headache.
• loss of taste or smell.
• a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes.

Serious symptoms:

• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
• chest pain or pressure.
• loss of speech or movement.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms.  Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility. 

People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home. 

On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.

Report the symptoms to the nearest health facilities, doctors or to the Ministry of Heath and Services Toll Free number 0800100100.