What are the symptoms of the new coronavirus?

HAVE YOU BEEN FEELING MORE ANXIOUS AND FEARFUL WITH ALL THAT’S GOING ON IN THE WORLD? We're here to update and inform you about the recent outbreak of COVID-19. We 're committed to providing as much support as possible.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the main symptoms of the coronavirus usually include:

• A dry cough

• A temperature

• Tiredness/lethargy

• Shortness of breath (in more severe cases)

Some patients may have "aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea", the WHO adds. "These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell".

These symptoms are similar to other respiratory diseases including flu and the common cold. So if you have symptoms, consider the following:

• Have you travelled to a high risk area such as China, South Korea or Northern Italy in the last two weeks?

• Have you been in close contact with someone with coronavirus?

How quickly do symptoms emerge?

Symptoms are thought to appear between two and 10 days after contracting the virus, but it may be up to 24 days.

Most people (about 80 per cent) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. However, around one out of every six people (16 per cent) becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing.

Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems, lung complaints or diabetes are more likely to develop serious illness.

When should I seek medical help?

People having difficulty breathing should seek medical attention quickly.

If you just have a fever and a cough - the main early symptoms of coronavirus - the government now advises that you self-isolate for seven days.

However, if you live with others you and the people you live with will have to self isolate for 14 days. 

This will help protect others.

If you live alone, ask your employer, friends and family to help you to get the things you need.

How to 'self isolate' if you think you might have coronavirus

If you think you may have the virus,  you should try to isolate or quarantine yourself.

This means you should:

• Stay at home

• Do not go to work, school and other public areas

• Do not use public transport and taxis

• Get friends and family to delivery food, medicines etc rather than going to the shops

• Discourage visitors

How is the new coronavirus spread and how can I protect myself?

Hand hygiene is the first and most important line of defence.

Like cold and flu bugs, the new virus is spread via droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. The droplets land on surfaces and are picked up on the hands of others and spread further. People catch the virus when they touch their infected hands to their mouth, nose or eyes.

It follows that the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself is to keep your hands clean by washing them frequently with soap and water or a hand sanitising gel.

Other tips include:

• Carry a hand sanitiser with you to make frequent cleaning of your hands easy

• Always wash your hands before you eat or touch your face

• Be especially careful about touching things and then touching your face in busy airports and other public transport systems

• Carry disposable tissues with you, cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze and dispose of the tissue carefully.

• Do not share snacks/foods from packets or bowls that others are dipping their fingers into

• Avoid shaking hands or cheek kissing if you suspect viruses are circulating

• Regularly clean not only your hands but also commonly used surfaces and devices you touch or handle.
  

Yours in the garden Farm2Markt. Stay Clean, Stay Safe.