How to stay safe against COVID-19?

1. Hand-washing

Regular hand-washing is one of the main ways to help prevent the transmission of coronavirus. People should use plenty of soap and water to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds, especially after: traveling on public transport, being in a public place, coughing, and sneezing. If a person is not able to use soap and water, they can use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

2. Avoiding touching the face

People should avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with their hands, especially if they are unwashed. This can help limit the spread of germs and reduce the likelihood of them getting sick. The hands come into contact with several surfaces throughout the day, and they may pick up viruses this way. A new report suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can remain on certain surfaces for up to 3 days. If a person then touches their face, viruses can transfer to the eyes, nose, or mouth and enter the body.

3. Calling ahead for medical attention

Anyone with a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing in an area with a COVID-19 outbreak should seek medical advice. Calling ahead before visiting a healthcare facility allows healthcare providers to reduce the risk of the virus spreading to others. For example, they may have the person use a designated entrance at the hospital, which helps keep them away from vulnerable patients.

People can catch COVID-19 from other people who have the virus. The disease is spread mainly from person to person through small droplets that a person with Covid-19 secretes from their nose or mouth when they cough, sneeze or speak. These droplets have a relatively heavy weight, as they do not move to a faraway place, but rather fall quickly to the ground. People can contract Covid-19 disease if they breathe in these droplets from a person who has the virus infection. Therefore it is important to maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from others. These droplets may land on objects and surfaces surrounding a person, such as tables, doorknobs and stair railings. People can then become infected when they touch these objects or surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. Therefore, it is important to wash hands frequently with soap and water, or to clean them with an alcohol-based hand rub disinfectant.