What you need to do

• Wash your hands thoroughly [at least for 20 seconds] using liquid soap and water. Alternately make use of alcohol-based solution.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes either in the flex of your arm or with a tissue.
• Greet people verbally, avoid shaking hands.
• Keep surfaces clean such as cell phones, keyboards and door handles
• Avoid meetings in closed spaces if you can and where possible, meetings should be held via telecom or video call.
• Don’t panic but take precautions.
• Keep working if you can. Sustain your economic contribution both demand-side and supply-side as much as you can, without exposing yourself physically.
• Actively encourage sick family members and friends to stay home and seek medical treatment.
• Beware of fake news. For the latest news and information on the spread of SARS-CoV-2, as well as useful advice and preventive measures, please visit the WHO (www.who.int) as an international source and the Department of Health (www.health.gov.za) and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (www.nicd.ac.za)as local sources or call 0800 029 999.

#2 *What is SARS-CoV-2

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases.

The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19. This new virus and resulting disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

#3 *What are the symptoms

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and a dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhoea.

These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment

#4 *Who is at risk?

Around 1 out of every six people who get COVID-19 become seriously ill and develop difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.

#5 *How does it spread

Studies to date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air. Respiratory droplets are expelled by someone who is coughing or sneezing.

The risk of catching COVID-19 from someone with no symptoms at all is very low. However, many people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms. This is particularly true in the early stages of the disease. It is, therefore, possible to catch COVID-19 from someone who has a mild cough and does not feel ill – the WHO is assessing ongoing research on the period of transmission of COVID-19.