Coronavirus Outbreak Reaches KZN: What You Need to Know

If you’re on social media there’s no doubt you’ve heard the latest news – that Coronavirus has reached KZN. As expected, panic ensued across WhatsApp groups as residents of KZN shared the official notice confirming that a 38 year old male, who recently travelled to Italy, has tested positive for the virus.
Hand sanitisers, face masks and toilet paper is selling out across the country as South Africans prepare to face the dreaded yet much anticipated spread. However, experts are advising that there’s no reason to panic, that the spread can be avoided by following several precautionary steps.
Discovery released a document answering everyone’s frequently asked questions (FAQs) and outlining what you need to know about the virus – including the signs and symptoms, precautionary measures and the at risk individuals.

Signs & Symptoms:

Coronavirus symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath, making it difficult to differentiate without testing. Symptoms can appear between 2- 14 days after exposure.

Safety Precautions:

The virus is easily spread through the air by coughing and sneezing, through close personal contact such as touching or shaking hands, touch an object or surface with the virus on it and then touching your face and through faecal contamination. The following precautions are advised to prevent you from contracting the virus:
1. The number one rule – wash your hands – frequently and efficiently, using soap and water or alcohol-based sanitiser. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention advises that you scrub your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds which is the equivalent of humming the “Happy Birthday” song, twice.
2. When you sneeze or cough – cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or a flexed elbow, then throw the tissue away and immediately wash your arm and hands.
3. Frequently disinfect any regularly touched objects or surfaces and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
4. Stay home if you feel unwell, even if your symptoms are mild. Seek medical attention early and call in advance to state that you are displaying symptoms of the virus. You will also need to share your previous travel history with your healthcare provider, especially if you are showing the relevant symptoms.
5. It is also advised that you avoid the consumption of raw or uncooked animal products and to handle raw meat and milk with care to avoid cross-contamination.

Are you an At-Risk person?

The Coronavirus is a bigger concern for individuals with poorer immune systems, such as babies and senior citizens and especially individuals with existing respiratory conditions. Discovery’s FAQ document outlines what the risk factors are for people who should be investigated and tested for 2019-nCoV.
Stay up to date on the latest numbers with the Worldometer’s live stats tracker and the John Hopkins Global case tracker – two sources that show the global stats regarding the number of confirmed cases, deaths and recoveries.
If you have any questions about coronavirus you can call the government’s public 24-hour hotline 0800 029 999.