spot_img
28.6 C
Philippines
Friday, March 29, 2024

Protect yourself from coronavirus

- Advertisement -

China has locked down 13 cities, closed down establishments and tourist sites, halted wildlife trade, and canceled its Lunar New Year celebrations in an effort to contain and prevent further spread of the deadly coronavirus that’s gripping the nation. 

Protect yourself from coronavirus
WASH THEM WELL. Experts strongly advise practicing good hand hygiene, as in washing hands regularly and thoroughly, to help prevent transmission of viral respiratory infections.

The new strain of coronavirus has taken the life of 56 people in China with 688 new cases diagnosed on Saturday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 1,975. 

As of Jan. 26, Australia has one confirmed case of the virus, Macau has five, Hong Kong has six, France has three known cases (the first European country to be affected), Japan has four cases, Malaysia has confirmed four cases, Nepal has one, Singapore has three, South Korea has three, Taiwan has detected three, Thailand has eight cases, the United States has three confirmed cases, and Vietnam has two. 

While the virus hasn’t reached our shores yet, when the five-year-old Chinese boy placed under observation tested negative for the virus, our government has heightened precautions against the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). 

On Jan. 25, two patients were put under observation in a hospital in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan after they showed symptoms of infection.

- Advertisement -
Protect yourself from coronavirus
Patients infected with the new strain of coronavirus (2019-nCoV), first detected in Wuhan, China, have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. AFP

According to the World Health Organization, common signs of coronavirus infection includes fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, it can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and death.

The 2019-nCoV is just one type of coronavirus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that circulate among animals, including camels, cats, and bats. 

“Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people such as has been seen with MERS and SARS,” said the CDC.

To help prevent the spread of the virus, the CDC encourages the public, especially those who are infected or being evaluated as well as those who provide healthcare and in close contact with someone confirmed or being evaluated, to wear a mask. 

Experts assert masks can help prevent the spread of droplets associated with respiratory illness. 

Protect yourself from coronavirus
Patients infected with the new strain of coronavirus (2019-nCoV), first detected in Wuhan, China, have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. AFP

“If you’re unwell and you wear a mask, it can be effective because obviously you’re not coughing into your hand, so you’re not going to shake someone else’s hand [thereby] interrupting that method of transmission,” Dr. Nathalie MacDermott, a clinical lecturer at King’s College London, told Euronews.

But a hospital epidemiologist opined that there is no reason for the general population to wear face masks, unless they’re infected. 

“Masks should minimize exposure, but they should be combined with good hand hygiene and social distancing,” Andrew Pekosz, a professor of molecular biology and immunology at Johns Hopkins University, was quoted as saying. 

Standard precautions include regular and thorough hand washing using soap and water for at least 60 seconds (following it up with hand sanitizer or 70 percent alcohol is recommended), and practice of cough etiquette which means covering mouth and nose with tissue paper when coughing or sneezing. 

Protect yourself from coronavirus
Patients infected with the new strain of coronavirus (2019-nCoV), first detected in Wuhan, China, have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. AFP

It’s also best to take multivitamins and drink lots of water to boost immunity, avoid crowded places and close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections, and properly wash and cook meat. 

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles