ORIENTATION ON

PREVENTION OF
CORONA VIRUS
DISEASE -19
(COVID-19)
Objectives of the session
• Provide latest information on COVID-19 to staff and partners
• Understand the etiology, symptoms, modes of transmission of COVID-
19
 • The COVID-19 is the disease
caused by SARS-CoV-2 and is a
Coronavirus.
• It has not been previously
What is identified in humans. 
COVID-19? • Coronaviruses are a large family
of viruses, some causing illness in
people and others that circulate
among a wide range of animals,
including camels, cats and bats.
LATEST UPDATE ON GLOBAL FIGURES
 What are the
symptoms?

• Common signs of Coronavirus disease include fever,

cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In
severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe
acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even
death.
• However, it is likely that some  people are asymptomatic.
The proportion that are asymptomatic is currently
uncertain.
• Many symptoms of COVID-19  are similar to influenza 
which is why testing is required to confirm if someone has
COVID-19. 
How does it spread?
• Knowledge of the virus is rapidly evolving as
new evidence emerges. Current
understanding is that the virus originated
from an animal source and is now spreading
from person-to-person. 
• The virus is transmitted through droplets
(coughs, sneezes) and can be transmitted by
touching, and through membranes (eyes,
nose and mouth). The virus survives on
surfaces for days and transmission can occur
by touching surfaces where these droplets
have fallen. 
What is the
incubation The symptoms might
period? appear after 2 to 14
days after infection.
 • Older people or people with pre-existing
medical conditions (such as asthma,
Anyone can diabetes, heart diseases) appear to be
more vulnerable to becoming severely ill
contract with the virus.

COVID-19 • WHO advises people of all ages to take

steps to protect themselves from the virus
by following the good hand hygiene and
good respiratory hygiene
How can I protect myself and others from
Coronavirus?
 Who Should
wear a medical
mask?

• The use of a medical mask is advised if you have

respiratory symptoms (coughing or sneezing) to
protect others. If you don’t have any symptoms, then
there is no need to wear a mask.
• Remember to dispose used masks properly to
avoid any increased risk of transmitting the virus.
• The use of a mask alone is not enough to stop
infections and must be combined with frequent hand
washing, covering sneezes and coughs, and avoiding
close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like
symptoms (coughing, sneezing, fever)
 REMEMBER, A MASK SHOULD ONLY BE USED
BY HEALTH WORKERS, CARE TAKERS, AND

How to put on a INDIVIDUALS WITH RESPIRATORY

SYMPTOMS, SUCH AS FEVER AND COUGH.

protective mask
• https://video.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search
?fr=yhs-adk-adk_sbyhp&hsimp=yhs-adk_sb
yhp&hspart=adk&p=how+to+put+on+a+pr
otective+masks+for+COVID-19+images#acti
on=view&id=17&vid=2bef8cc70bd9013fe3f
e53212cb028e5
 • Remember that symptoms of COVID-
19 such as cough or fever can be
similar to those of the flu, or a cold –
which are a lot more common.
What should I • You must continue to follow good 
do if my child hygiene practices like regular
has symptoms handwashing. Keep your child up to
date with vaccinations – so that your
of COVID-19? child is protected against other viruses
and bacteria causing diseases.
• Avoid going to public places
(workplace, schools, public transport),
to prevent it spreading to others.
 • Stay at home if you begin to feel
unwell, even with mild symptoms
What if such as headache and slightly
runny nose, until you recover.
coronavirus is
• If you develop fever, cough and
spreading in my difficulty breathing, get medical
community? help immediately. 
• Call before to let them know of
any recent travel or contact with
travelers. 
If any of the • The sick person and the ones caring for
them should wear a face mask to avoid
following contamination
symptoms appear • Practice effective handwashing
• Maintain cough etiquette and respiratory
among a family hygiene
member: • Keep a safe distance of 1 to 2 meters from
them
Coughing/Fever/ • Avoid touching them via handshakes,
Shortness of hugs, or kisses
• Call the (Number provided by the
Breath  Ministry of Health)
What are some
myths or Use the available fact sheet on myths and
misconceptions
misconceptions
about the virus https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/
novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/my
th-busters
in your
community? https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov
/symptoms-testing/share-facts.html?CDC_AA
_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fc
oronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fabout%2Fshare-
facts.html
 NOT YET. To date, there is no
vaccine and no specific
antiviral medicine to prevent
Is there a or treat COVID-2019. However,
vaccine, drug those affected should receive
or treatment care to relieve symptoms.
People with serious illness
for COVID-19 should be hospitalized. Most
patients recover with
supportive care.
Social stigma due to
COVID-19
 • Social stigma means treating
somebody in a way that makes
them feel that they are very
bad or unimportant. 
• The current COVID-19
What is social outbreak has increased social
stigma? stigma and discriminatory
behaviours especially against
people of certain ethnic
backgrounds as well as anyone
perceived to have been in
contact with the virus.
 What are some of the
provoked social stigma
and discriminatory
Social Stigma behavior you have
seen in your
community?
 It is understandable that COVID-19
has caused confusion, anxiety, and
fear among the public.
Unfortunately, these factors are
also fueling harmful stereotypes.
What is the Stigma can:
impact of • Drive people to hide the
illness to avoid discrimination
stigma? • Prevent people from seeking
health care immediately
• Discourage them from
adopting healthy behaviors
How to address •Mind your words
stigma?
•Play your part
 Mind your words

• DO: talk about the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
and need for physical distancing
• DON’T:  Don’t - attach locations or ethnicity to the
disease, this is not a “Wuhan Virus”, “Chinese Virus” or
“Asian Virus”. Viruses don't have nationalities.
• DO: talk about “people who have COVID-19”, “people
who are being treated for COVID-19”, “people who are
recovering from COVID-19” or “people who died after
contracting COVID-19”
• DON’T: refer to people with the disease as “COVID-19
cases” or “victims”
• DO: talk about people “acquiring” or “contracting”
COVID-19 
• DO: acknowledge peoples' fears and be empathetic. Provid correct
and up to date information from medical experts.
• DON’T: talk about people “transmitting COVID-19”
“infecting others” or “spreading the virus” as it implies
intentional transmission and assigns blame.
• DO: speak accurately about the risk from COVID-19,
based on scientific data and latest official health advice
• DON’T: repeat or share unconfirmed rumours, and aoid
using hyperbolic language designed to generate fear like
“plague”, “apocalypse” etc.
• DO: talk positively and emphasise the importance of
effective prevention measures, including following our
tips on handwashing. 
 Play Your Part

• Facts, not fear will stop the spread of novel coronavirus

(COVID-19)
• Share facts and accurate information about the disease.
• Challenge myths and stereotypes.
• Choose words carefully. The way we communicate can
affect the attitudes of others
Some Resources on
Stigma

https://www.thecompassforsbc.org/sites/default/files/
strengthening_tools/COVID19%20Stigma%20guide%20
2002.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptom
s-testing/reducing-stigma.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%
3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov
%2Fabout%2Frelated-stigma.html

https://healthcommcapacity.org/can-done-reduce-stig
ma-help-communities-get-beyond-fear/
Summary
Video on
COVID-19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOV1aB
VYKGA&feature=emb_logo
COVID-19:
Resources for
Social and https://thecompassforsbc.org/trending-topic
s/covid-19-resources-social-and-behavior-cha
nge#general
Behavior Change
REMEMBER
THOUGH
THERE IS NO
VACCINE, DRUG
OR
TREATMENT

COVID-19 CAN
BE
PREVENTED!
 THANK
BE SAFE!
YOU