Detail Question and Answers on COVID-19 for Public
What is corona virus
What is COVID-19
COVID-19
is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered corona virus.
This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan , China
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 high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to
develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing
should seek medical attention.
How does COVID-19 spread
People
can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from
person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread
when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects
and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching
these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can
also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who
coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1
meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.
Can the virus that causes
COVID-19 be transmitted through the air?
Studies
to date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted
through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air. See
previous answer on “How does COVID-19 spread?”
Can CoVID-19 be caught from
a person who has no symptoms?
The main
way the disease spreads is through respiratory droplets expelled by someone who
is coughing. The risk of catching COVID-19 from someone with no symptoms at all
is very low. However, many people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms.
This is particularly true at the early stages of the disease. It is therefore
possible to catch COVID-19 from someone who has, for example, just a mild cough
and does not feel ill.
Can I catch COVID-19 from
the feces of someone with the disease?
The risk
of catching COVID-19 from the feces of an infected person appears to be low.
While initial investigations suggest the virus may be present in feces in some
cases, spread through this route is not a main feature of the outbreak. The
ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share new
findings. Because this is a risk, however, it is another reason to clean hands
regularly, after using the bathroom and before eating.
What can I do to protect
myself and prevent the spread of disease
Protection measures for everyone
Stay
aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the
national,state and local public health authority. Many countries around the
world have seen cases of COVID-19 and several have seen outbreaks. Authorities
in China
You can
reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID19 by taking some
simple precautions:
·
Regularly
and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcoholbased 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 metre (3 feet) 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 virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people
around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
·
Stay
home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing,
seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local
health authority. Why? National and local authorities 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.
·
Keep
up to date on the latest COVID-19 hotspots (cities or local areas where
COVID-19 is spreading widely). If possible, avoid traveling to places –
especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease.
Why? You have a higher chance of catching COVID-19 in one of these areas.
Protection
measures for persons who are in or have recently visited (past 14 days) areas
where COVID-19 is spreading
Follow
the guidance outlined above (Protection measures for everyone)
·
Self-isolate
by staying at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as
headache, low grade fever (37.3 C or above) and slight runny nose, until you
recover. If it is essential for you to have someone bring you supplies or to go
out, e.g. to buy food, then wear a mask to avoid infecting other people.
·
Why?
Avoiding contact with others and visits to medical facilities will allow these
facilities to operate more effectively and help protect you and others from
possible COVID-19 and other viruses.
·
If
you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice promptly
as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. 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 catch
COVID-19?
The risk
depends on where you are - and more specifically, whether there is a COVID-19
outbreak unfolding there.
For most
people in most locations the risk of catching COVID-19 is still low. However,
there are now places around the world (cities or areas) where the disease is
spreading. For people living in, or visiting, these areas the risk of catching
COVID-19 is higher. Governments and health authorities are taking vigorous
action every time a new case of COVID-19 is identified. Be sure to comply with
any local restrictions on travel, movement or large gatherings. 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
Should I 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
catch it need hospital care. It is therefore quite normal for people to worry
about how the COVID-19 outbreak will affect them and their loved ones.
We can
channel our concerns into actions to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our
communities. First and foremost among these actions is regular and thorough
hand-washing and good respiratory hygiene. Secondly, keep informed and follow
the advice of the local health authorities including any restrictions put in
place on travel, movement and gatherings.
Who is at risk of
developing severe illness
While we
are still learning about how COVID-2019 affects people, older persons and
persons with pre-existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart
disease, lung disease, cancer or diabetes) appear to develop serious illness
more often than others.
Are antibiotics effective
in preventing or treating the COVID-19?
No.
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 physician to treat a bacterial infection.
Are there any medicines
or therapies that can prevent or cure COVID-19
While
some western, traditional or home remedies may provide comfort and alleviate
symptoms of COVID-19, there is no evidence that current medicine can prevent or
cure the disease. We does not recommend self-medication with any medicines,
including antibiotics, as a prevention or cure for COVID-19. However, there are
several ongoing clinical trials that include both western and traditional
medicines. We will continue to provide updated information as soon as clinical
findings are available.
Is there a vaccine drug
or treatment for COVID-19
Not yet.
To date, there is no vaccine and no specific antiviral medicine to prevent or
treat COVID-2019. However, those affected should receive care to relieve
symptoms. People with serious illness should be hospitalized. Most patients
recover thanks to supportive care. Possible vaccines and some specific drug
treatments are under investigation. They are being tested through clinical
trials.
The most
effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to
frequently clean your hands, cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue,
and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from people who are
coughing or sneezing
Is COVID-19 the same as
SARS?
No. The
virus that causes COVID-19 and the one that caused the outbreak of Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 are related to each other genetically, but
the diseases they cause are quite different.
SARS was
more deadly but much less infectious than COVID-19. There have been no
outbreaks of SARS anywhere in the world since 2003.
Should I wear mask to
protect myself
Only wear
a mask if you are ill with COVID-19 symptoms (especially coughing) or looking
after someone who may have COVID-19. Disposable face mask can only be used
once. If you are not ill or looking after someone who is ill then you are
wasting a mask. There is a world-wide shortage of masks, so We urge people to
use masks wisely.
We
advises rational use of medical masks to avoid unnecessary wastage of precious
resources and mis-use of masks The most effective ways to protect yourself and
others against COVID-19 are to frequently clean your hands, cover your cough
with the bend of elbow or tissue and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (3
feet) from people who are coughing or sneezing.
How to put on use take
off and dispose of a mask?
1. Remember, a mask should only be
used by health workers, care takers, and individuals with respiratory symptoms,
such as fever and cough.
2. Before touching the mask, clean
hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
3. Take the mask and inspect it for
tears or holes.
4. Orient which side is the top side
(where the metal strip is). 5. Ensure the proper side of the mask faces
outwards (the coloured side).
5. Place the mask to your face. Pinch
the metal strip or stiff edge of the mask so it moulds to the shape of your
nose.
6. Pull down the mask’s bottom so it
covers your mouth and your chin.
7. After use, take off the mask;
remove the elastic loops from behind the ears while keeping the mask away from
your face and clothes, to avoid touching potentially contaminated surfaces of
the mask.
8. Discard the mask in a closed bin
immediately after use. 10. Perform hand hygiene after touching or discarding
the mask – Use alcohol-based hand rub or, if visibly soiled, wash your hands
with soap and water.
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 five days. These estimates
will be updated as more data become available.
Can humans become
infected with the COVID-19 from an animal source?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses
that are common in animals. Occasionally, people get infected with these
viruses which may then spread to other people. For example, SARS-CoV was
associated with civet cats and MERS-CoV is transmitted by dromedary camels.
Possible animal sources of COVID-19 have not yet been confirmed.
To
protect yourself, such as when visiting live animal markets, avoid direct
contact with animals and surfaces in contact with animals. Ensure good food
safety practices at all times. Handle raw meat, milk or animal organs with care
to avoid contamination of uncooked foods and avoid consuming raw or undercooked
animal products.
Can I catch COVID-19 from
my pet?
While
there has been one instance of a dog being infected in Hong
Kong , to date, there is no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can
transmit COVID-19. COVID-19 is mainly spread through droplets produced when an
infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. To protect yourself, clean your
hands frequently and thoroughly.
We
continues to monitor the latest research on this and other COVID19 topics and
will update as new findings are available.
How long does the virus
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 corona viruses. Studies suggest that corona viruses
(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.
Is it safe to receive a
package from any area where COVID-19 has been reported?
Yes. The
likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the
risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been
moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is also
low.
Is there anything I
should not do?
The
following measures ARE NOT effective against COVID-2019 and can be harmful:
• Smoking
• Wearing multiple masks
• Taking antibiotics (See question 10 "Are there any
medicines of therapies that can prevent or cure COVID-19?")
In any
case, if you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing seek medical care early
to reduce the risk of developing a more severe infection and be sure to share
your recent travel history with your health care provider.
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