Stock market crashes, food shortages, people are in quarantine, cities are on lock down and people are dying.
Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China. COVID-19 affects the lungs and airways, caused by a virus called Coronavirus.
Coronaviruses are Zoonotic, this means transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.
We’ve gathered some facts from World Health Organisation, the GOV.UK and NHS just for you.
Symptoms
Symptoms includes, fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath as well as breathing difficulties. Apparently, coronavirus can also cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems. Including, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. Common signs of infection also include respiratory symptoms. In more severe cases, infection can cause severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure as well as death.
What’s the risk of coronavirus in the UK?
The UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the public from low to moderate. Health professionals are working to contact anyone who has been in close contact with people who have coronavirus.
Furthermore, because it’s a new illness, we don’t know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person. Although similar viruses are spread via cough droplets. It’s very unlikely to spread through things like packages or food. However, here at FRUK, we advise to not only wash your hands regularly but also clean all surfaces and items before use and wash your hand immediately after use, call us extra or OCD!
How to avoid catching or spreading coronavirus
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- always wash your hands when you get home or into work
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards
- try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
- try to avoid anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
- thoroughly cook meat and eggs
- do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
How to self-isolate for Coronavirus
Should you feel unwell or if there’s a chance you could have coronavirus, then you may be asked to stay away from everyone and self-isolate. This means you should:
- stay at home
- not go to work, school or public places
- not use public transport or taxis
- ask friends, family members or delivery services to do errands for you
- try to avoid visitors to your home – it’s OK for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food
Treatment
There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus. Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses. Any treatment only aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness. Isolation is recommended inorder for you to stay away from other people until recovered.
