What is Corona Virus Disease or COVID-19?

Covid-19 is a new disease which is very infectious and is caused by one of a group of viruses called corona virus. Already known types of diseases caused by corona viruses are common cold, SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) to name a few. Covid-19 stands for corona virus disease 2019.

Symptoms of Covid-19.

What you need to look out for in a person who has contracted covid-19;

• Sneezing
• Fever
• Tiredness
• Dry Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Aches and pain
• Sore throat
• Sometimes diarrhea, nausea (feel like voting), or running nose

Mode of spread of COVID-19 and How to Avoid It

Human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:

• The air by coughing and sneezing.
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands with other person already infected.
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands.

You can avoid infecting yourself or others by;

Self-isolation– avoid public gatherings, clubs, markets etc.

Social distancing – it is recommended that you should be at least 2 meters away from other person. This is sufficient distance to avoid the virus jump from one person to another.

Avoid close contact - avoid unprotected contact with sick people (including touching ones eyes, nose or mouth) and with live farm or wild animals, also avoid touching objects and surfaces such as (tables and door handles) contaminated from a person with Covid-19.

Practice food safety – wash your hands between handling raw and cooked food. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet.

What to do if you are sick?

Only common sense actions will help reduce risk to you and to others.

If you are sick, stay away from others – that is the most important thing you can do. You should also practice good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene

• cover your cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues, and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• if unwell, avoid contact with others by staying 2 meters away from people.

At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments.

In PNG, any suspected cases can be reported by calling these hotline toll free numbers;