Feb 4
How to protect yourself against the coronavirus

How to protect yourself against the coronavirus

A new strain of coronavirus has been causing alarm across the globe, with more than 14,000 confirmed cases to date. Most of these confirmed cases are in China, where the virus originated. However, the coronavirus has started to spread and the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that there have been confirmed cases in 23 total countries. Approximately 10 of these confirmed cases were in the US.

At this time, the flu poses a greater threat in the US (there have been 19 million cases confirmed this season). But it’s still good to be aware of how the coronavirus spreads, and what you can do to protect yourself against it. Read on to learn more about how you can protect yourself from this new strain of virus.

Symptoms of the coronavirus may include:

  • Runny nose
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Sore throat
  • Fever
  • General feeling of being unwell

How the coronavirus spreads

Similar to the flu, the coronavirus is spread through the air by coughing and sneezing. It can be transmitted through close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands. The coronavirus can also be spread by touching your mouth, nose, or eyes after touching a contaminated object or surface.

How to protect yourself and others:

How you protect yourself and others from the coronavirus is similar to how you would protect yourself from the common cold.

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick

Medical facilities like clinics and nursing homes should also schedule medical office cleaning more often to maintain the cleanliness and safety, and to protect their patients and residents, as well as the healthcare professionals.

If you have cold-like symptoms, follow these tips to protect others:

  • Avoid close contact with others
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands
  • Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces
  • Stay at home away from others if they are sick and seek care immediately

“There currently isn’t a vaccine to protect against the coronavirus, so it’s important to be mindful of germs and other people who might be sick. To help yourself stay healthy, wash your hands regularly and avoiding close contact with people who are experiencing symptoms like coughing or sneezing. And remember to stay home if you start to experience these symptoms yourself. These actions will not only help prevent the spread of the coronavirus, but will also help protect against the flu.” – Dr. Albert Munanga, Era Living’s Regional Director of Health & Wellness.