What is COVID-19?

• COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus.
• This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

What are the Symptoms of COVID-19?

• The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough.
• Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea.
• 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.
• Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing.
• Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like HIV, high blood pressure, heart and lung problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness.
• People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.

What can I do to protect myself?

Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the websites and social media of the national Department of Health (www.health.gov.za), National Institute for Communicable Diseases (www.nicd.ac.za) and World Health Organization (www.who.int).

• Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
  • WHY? – Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
• Maintain at least 1.5 – 2 meters distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
  • WHY? – When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
  • WHY? – Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
• Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
  • WHY? – Droplets spread the virus. By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
• If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and preferably call the medical facility in advance. Follow the directions of your health practitioner (GP or Primary Healthcare Nurse).
  • WHY? – National and local authorities as well as your Platinum Health GP or Primary Healthcare Nurse will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.
• If possible, avoid traveling to places where COVID-19 has been diagnosed – especially if you are an older person or have HIV, diabetes, heart or lung disease.
  • WHY? – You have a greater chance of getting infected with COVID-19 in one of these areas.

How to prevent the spread of the disease?

If you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing, get medical care promptly as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. If possible, call in advance and tell your provider of any recent travel or contact with travelers.

WHY?

Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also help to prevent possible spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.

How likely am I to contract COVID-19?

• The risk depends on where you are – and more specifically, whether there is a COVID-19 outbreak unfolding in your area.
• There are now places around South Africa where the disease is spreading. For people living in, or visiting, these areas the risk of catching COVID-19 is higher.
• The governments and health authorities are taking vigorous action every time a new case of COVID-19 is identified.
• Be sure to comply with the current lockdown in South Africa. Cooperating with disease control efforts will reduce your risk of catching or spreading COVID-19.
• COVID-19 outbreaks can be contained and transmission stopped, as has been shown in China and some other countries. Unfortunately, new outbreaks can emerge rapidly. It’s important to be aware of the situation where you are or intend to go.

Should members worry about COVID-19?

• Illness due to COVID-19 infection is generally mild, especially for children and young adults.
• However, it can cause serious illness: about 1 in every 5 people who contract COVID-19 need hospital care.
• It is therefore quite normal for people to worry about how the COVID-19 outbreak could affect them and their loved ones.
• You can channel our concerns into actions to protect ourselves, your loved ones and the community.
• Most important is to ensure that you regularly and thoroughly wash your hands, cover your mouth and nose with a bent elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing and then disposing of the tissue and not touching your mouth, nose or eyes. Always wear a mask when you are out in public or at work.

Who is at risk?

• Older persons and persons with pre-existing medical conditions (such as HIV, High Blood Pressure, Heart and Lung disease, Cancer or Diabetes) appear to develop serious illness more often than others.

Are antibiotics effective in preventing or treating 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.
• They should only be used as directed by a doctor to treat a bacterial infection.

Are there any medicines that can prevent and cure COVID-19?

• While some western, traditional or home remedies may provide comfort and alleviate symptoms of COVID-19, there is currently no evidence that current medicine can prevent or cure the disease.
• There are several ongoing clinical trials that include both western and traditional medicines and the World Health Organisation (WHO) will provide updated information as soon as clinical findings are available.

Is there a vaccine, drug or treatment for COVID-19?

• To date, there is no vaccine and no specific antiviral medicine to prevent or treat COVID-2019.
• Possible vaccines and some specific drug treatments are under investigation. They are being tested through clinical trials. The World Health Organisation (WHO) is coordinating efforts to develop vaccines and medicines to prevent and treat COVID-19.
• The most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to frequently wash your hands, cover your nose and mouth with bent elbow or tissue when sneezing, and maintain a distance of at least 1.5 – 2 metres from people who are coughing or sneezing.

Should I wear a mask to protect myself?

Always wear a mask when you are out in public or at work.

• Even if you don’t have symptoms, masks are important to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
• Without a Mask:
  • Your cough or sneeze travels farther.
  • More germs are released in the air onto surfaces.
  • More people can get sick from your germs.
  • With a Mask:
  • Your cough or sneeze is more contained.
  • Fewer germs are released.
  • More people are protected from your germs.

How to wear and care for your cloth mask:

• Before putting on a mask:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds OR clean hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 70% alcohol
• Place the mask against your face making sure it covers your nose and mouth.
• When wearing the mask, do not touch your face or mask with your hands.
• Do not lower the mask when speaking, coughing or sneezing.
• Remove the mask when it is damp or wet.
• When removing the mask, only touch the straps to remove the mask away from your face.
• Do not share your mask with anyone.
• Put the mask in a container until you wash it or wash it immediately.
• After removing the mask:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds OR clean hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 70% alcohol.
• You will need 2 masks: one to wash & one to wear.
• Wash your mask daily with soap and hot water.
• The mask is best dried in the sun and ironed.

How long is the incubation period for COVID-19?

• The “incubation period” means the time between catching the virus and beginning to have symptoms of the disease.
• Most estimates of the incubation period for COVID-19 range from 1-14 days, most commonly around 5 days.

How long does the coronavirus survive on surfaces?

It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other coronaviruses.

Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days.

This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).

• If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with simple disinfectant to kill the virus and protect yourself and others.
• Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.