COVID-19

1. What is COVID 19?

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness caused by a newly identified coronavirus that was discovered in late 2019 in China. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some coronaviruses cause illnesses in people and others only circulate among animals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people. The virus causing COVID-19 may have emerged from an animal source, and it is now able to spread from person to person. (University of Minnesota Physicians and University of Minnesota Medical Center, 2019)

2. What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

3. How does it Spread? 

1. Person to Person

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

• Close contact (1 meter/3 feet)
• Via respiratory droplets produced when coughing or sneezing
• Droplets land in mouth or noses of people nearby or possibly inhaled into the lugs

2. Surface to Person 

• Touching a contaminated surface then touching your face, nose, mouth or possibly eyes. but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

4. Preventive Measures

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. 
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not readily available. 
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. 
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home if you’re feeling sick.  

5. Self Quarantine

The main objective of self-quarantine is maintaining much distance between you and other people.  compare with other viruses, this virus spread rapidly from one person to other people as I mentioned above. Hence self-quarantine will help to reduce the spreading virus to others. 

5.1 Who should self-quarantine 

• If you travel to other countries where already COVID-19 virus spread.
• If you have been contacted with someone confirm or doubtful with COVID-19
• If you have COVID-19 symptoms as I mention above 
• Not only you also very important to be self-quarantine with your family members if you have close contact with them as I mention above.

5.2 Guideline for self-quarantine 

• Talk to your employer, friends, and family to ask for their help to access the things you will need. Make sure any deliveries are left outside your home for you to collect 
• Talk to your employer to see if you can work from home during this time.
• You can keep in touch with friends and family over the phone or the internet, but don’t have physical contact with anyone who isn’t isolating with you.
• You can live with others during your 14 days, but you need to avoid close contact with them. This means you shouldn’t share beds, linen or food
• wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, each time using soap and water, or use hand sanitizer
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or cough or sneeze into your elbow. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can and immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• if you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home, or your condition gets worse, or your symptoms do not get better after 7 days, then call to 1999.

5.3 What do I do while I stay home?

• It's important that you look after your mental health during this time, including maintaining a normal routine as much as possible.

• Exercise each day is advisable and can be done in the privacy of your room using YouTube exercise tutorials or by walking around your home or garden.

• Reach out to friends and family using the telephone or social media to stay connected and relieve loneliness.

6. How are COVID-19 tests done?

The most common diagnostic tests for COVID-19 are the so-called “PCR tests” that use swabbed samples from a patient’s nose and throat.

PCR testing for COVID-19 infection has been established at virology laboratories at National Hospital Kandy and Teaching Hospitals Karapitiya and Anuradhapura.

(How to do a test)

7. Who is more at risk?

• Those with reduced immunity people suffering from conditions such as diabetes, heart, and lung disease are more at risk. 
• Advancing age and people over 40 years seem more vulnerable.

8. Corona distribution places in Sri Lanka 

Click here to see in the map

This Map will be updated every day at 10.00 a.m

9. What Action Can you take in your Organization to face this situation?

• Develop Emergency Respond plan 
• Work at home
• Educate all employees in the facility
• Ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of the workplace
• Promote good hand hygiene among employees and customers

10. Special Link 

• Click to See Status of COVID-19 spreading across the globe.
• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) - Situation Report in Sri Lanka– 17.03.2020 – 10.00am