COVID-19

What is COVID-19?
 COVID-19, otherwise known as coronavirus disease 2019, is a new infectious disease caused by
a previously unknown virus called SARS-CoV-2.
 The virus is part of a family of coronaviruses which are responsible for lots of different illnesses
from the common cold to the flu. But this new strain can be more severe in some people.
 Symptoms of COVID-19
 fever,
 dry cough,
 tiredness,
 loss of taste or smell.
 Other symptoms include: nasal congestion, conjunctivitis (red eyes), sore throat, headache, muscle or joint pain,
skin rash, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea, chills or dizziness.
 Some people get more seriously ill with COVID-19 and may have symptoms such as shortness of breath, loss of
appetite, confusion, chest pain or a high temperature. These people will need medical care. In critical cases,
COVID-19 can lead to death.
 COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Some people do not have any symptoms and may not even
know they have the virus. You can still pass COVID-19 on even if you aren’t showing any symptoms, so it’s
important to always follow the prevention advice.
 Prevent COVID-19
 Avoid places that are crowded, confined or involve close contact with others, especially indoors.
If you can’t, take extra precautions such as opening a window for ventilation and wearing a mask.
 Wash your hands regularly and properly using soap and water. You can use an alcohol-based
hand sanitiser if you do not have access to water or soap.
 Avoid touching your face.
 Cover your mouth and nose with a clean tissue when you sneeze or cough. Throw the tissue
away and wash your hands after. If you don’t have a tissue, cover your face with the inside of
your elbow.
 Clean and disinfect surfaces regularly.
 Only meet people who are not part of your household outdoors, if local restrictions allow –
outdoor gatherings are safer than indoor ones.
 Antibiotic Effective in Treating of COVID-19

 Antibiotics do not work against viruses; they only work on bacterial infections. COVID-
19 is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not work. Antibiotics should not be used as a
means of prevention or treatment of COVID-19.
 In hospitals, physicians will sometimes use antibiotics to prevent or treat secondary
bacterial infections which can be a complication of COVID-19 in severely ill patients.
They should only be used as directed by a physician to treat a bacterial infection.
 Who is most at risk for getting Covid-19?
 Persons at greatest risk of contracting COVID-19 are:

• People who live in or have recently traveled to any area with ongoing active spread.
• People who have had close contact with a person who has a laboratory-confirmed or a
suspected case of the COVID-19 virus. Close contact is defined as being within six feet of an
infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period.
• People over age 60 who have pre-existing medical conditions or a weakened immune system
 Vaccine for COVID-19

 The first COVID-19 vaccines are now being distributed in some countries. Follow the official
advice in your area to find out when the vaccine will be available to you.
 COVID-19 vaccines work by helping your body develop immunity to the virus that causes
COVID-19. This means your body will be ready and will be able to respond faster to the virus if
you are exposed to it, so you’re less likely to get seriously ill.
 Until the number of people with COVID-19 falls to a safe level where you live, it’s important to
continue to follow prevention measures such as social distancing and wearing a mask even after
having the vaccine.
 Should I wear a face mask?

 The CDC recommends wearing a cloth face coverings in public, especially in places where it’s
hard to maintain at least six feet of distance between yourself and another person. Face
masks protect both you and the people around you. Cloth face masks are being
recommended because we now know individuals with COVID-19 could have mild or no
symptoms, while still spreading the virus to others.
 The cloth face coverings recommended by the CDC are not surgical masks or N-95
respirators, which should be reserved for healthcare workers and first responders.
Thank You!