A novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread mostly all over the world. This virus is unleashing devastation on the city of Wuhan situated in the Hubei region of China. The COVID-19 virus outbreak started from the start of December of 2019 and has kept on spreading. The individuals who were the first ones to become infected from this virus were linked toward the South China Seafood Wholesale Market, which has been shut from that point onward.

A vast number of cases have come into notice by the health authorities in China. There are likewise cases that have come into existence in different nations, generally spread by the individuals going out of China, including Chinese individuals or the individuals coming back from China to their particular countries. The infection can spread, starting with one individual then onto the next through contact or even merely being in the closeness of the contaminated person.

We as a whole, know about this virus, yet its time to think about Coronavirus in detail.

What is Covid-19 – the virus that started from Wuhan?

This is a large virus family that is collectively known as the Coronavirus. A large portion of the known coronavirus symptoms has a simple effect on the individuals, for example, giving them a mild respiratory ailment like a common cold. However, there have been two such cases of the Coronavirus that have indicated enormous consequences for the infected. That is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus.

A large number of those at first infected either worked or often shopped in the Huanan seafood market in the Chinese city.

A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is another strain that has not been recognized in people.

How might You protect yourself from a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses regularly cause respiratory symptoms. So we prescribe fundamental hand cleanliness, for example, washing your hands properly with soap and water and respiratory disinfection, for example, when you sneeze, sneezing into your elbow. Approaches to secure yourself against a potential animal source are to stay away from unnecessary unprotected contact with live animals. Make sure you properly wash your hands after animal contact. Also, make sure to check that your meat is cooked altogether before consuming it.

Is there a treatment of Coronavirus?

There are no particular medications for coronaviruses, yet side effects can be dealt with.

What are the symptoms of Coronavirus?

Cough, cold, fever, and trouble breathing are some of the signs and symptoms which have been seen in the people infected. Some of the patients have additionally revealed having an irritated throat. There’s been some hypothesis about the extreme infection-causing potential of the novel Coronavirus even though these cases are not upheld with legitimate verification. Individuals with chronic ailments and matured patients may present more prominent odds of having an extreme illness because of this infection.

As this is viral pneumonia, there is no practical use of the antibiotics. The antiviral medications we have against influenza won’t work. Recovery relies on the immune system’s strength. A significant number of individuals who have kicked the bucket were already in bad health condition.

What is the risk of Coronavirus?

The individuals who are living or going around the region where the infection is predominant are at risk of contamination, as indicated by the WHO. As of now, the virus is just present in China, and non-occupants of China who have been infected have headed out to China and have been in contact with the contaminated individuals who are from China.

As per WHO, the risk to the individuals who are not living in China is exceptionally low as long as you do not come in contact with one of the non-resident Chinese individuals who are contaminated. Likewise, the WHO expresses that necessary disinfectants can undoubtedly discard the infection if it is available on a surface, and the endurance time of the virus on any surface is truly low.

What WHO Says about it?

 “COVID-19 is still affecting people in China with some outbreaks in other countries. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others,” says the World Health Organisation.

Source: thesun.uk/news

Is it being transmitted from one person to another?

China’s national health commission has confirmed human-to-human transmission, and there have been such transmissions elsewhere.

What do the stats say?

Number of people infected from Coronavirus

Starting on 4 March, the worldwide loss of life is 3,190, while more than 93,000 individuals have been affected over 80 nations. In China, there have been 2,981 deaths and 80,270 cases in all. South Korea, the country’s most exceedingly terrible hit by Coronavirus after China, has had 5,328 cases. Over 44,000 individuals in China have recovered from Covid-19.

“There have been over 90,000 cases so far and a little over 3,000 deaths. Most deaths have occurred in people with compromised immune systems such as the elderly or people with other serious existing illnesses. So, there is a need to exercise caution but not panic. The infection can be avoided by following strict hygiene protocols and awareness and alert behavior is the key,” added Kamal Narayan, CEO, Integrated Health & Wellbeing Council (IHW) Council.

Facts Related To Coronavirus For Workplace From Reliable Sources

The dread of Coronavirus, medically now termed 'coranxiety,' is tremendous to the point that it has prompted the spread of fake resources and misinformation, particularly on social media. The number of posts and forwards on Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, other social platforms are increasing day by day. Fake news on websites is increasing with the expansion in the name of affirmed Coronavirus cases.

Is the outbreak a pandemic?

No. A pandemic, in WHO terms, is “the worldwide spread of disease.” The spread of the infection outside China is stressing yet not an unexpected development. The WHO has proclaimed the outbreak to be a public health emergency of universal concern. The key issues are how transmissible this new Coronavirus is among individuals, and what extent become seriously sick and end up in the medical clinic. Regular infections that spread effectively will, in general, have a milder effect. By and large, the Coronavirus seems, by all accounts, to be hitting older individuals hardest, with scarcely any cases in kids.

Healthy Habits Recommended By WHO To Prevent Coronavirus At Workplace

Companies are thinking about how to manage this dangerous outbreak of coronavirus. This is what they're doing, and how it could influence their employees.

Sick leaves, work from home, furloughs. Have you opted for any of the options?

You could experience any of these measures as organizations attempt to keep their workers from being exposed to the coronavirus.

A few organizations have just played it safe, like restricting travel to affected countries or any international conferences. Others have requested employees to remain at home as they visited a place or country with a severe outbreak.

What else you can do to stay safe at your office?

The tips beneath will assist you with finding out about steps you can take to protect yourself as well as other employees at the workplace from viruses and help stop the spread of germs.

Source: fda.gov

Important Guidelines Stated By WHO For Workplaces

• Maintain a strategic distance from close contact.

Maintain a strategic distance from close contact with individuals who are not well. At the point when you are sick, stay away from others to protect them from becoming ill as well.

• Stay home when you are not well

If conceivable, remain at home from work, school, and tasks when you are sick. This will help forestall spreading your ailment to other people.

• Cover your mouth and nose.

Cover your nose and mouth and with a tissue when sneezing or coughing. It might forestall people around you from becoming ill.

• Clean your hands.

Washing your hands properly and frequently will help protect you from germs. On the off chance that soap and water are not accessible, utilize a hand rub.

• Avoid contacting your eyes, nose, or mouth.

Germs are regularly spread when an individual contacts something that is contaminated with germs and afterward contacts their eyes, nose, or mouth.

• Practice other great wellbeing propensities.

Clean and sterilize every now and again contacted surfaces at home, work, or school, mainly when somebody is sick. Get a lot of rest, be active physically, deal with your stress, drink a lot of liquids, and eat nutritious food.

Other Preventive Methods To Consider At Workplace

Source: bbc.com

1. Find out about your companies plans if the outbreak of virus or another illness happens and whether first aids are offered on-site.
2. Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects, including door handles, phones, and keyboards to help evacuate germs.
3. Make sure your work environment has proper tissues, cleanser, paper towels, liquor based hand rubs, and dispensable wipes supplies.
4. Train others on the most proficient method to carry out your responsibility so they can cover for you if you or a relative becomes ill and you need to remain at home.
5. Rush home as soon as possible if you begin to feel sick at the workplace.

Source: bbc.com

At School

1. Find out about plans your youngster’s school, kid care program, or college has if the outbreak of coronavirus or another illness happens and whether first aids are offered on-sites.
2. Make sure your youngster’s school, kid care program or college routinely cleans as often as possible touched objects and surfaces. Make sure that they have proper tissues, cleanser, paper towels, liquor based hand rubs, and expendable wipes supplies on-site.
3. Ask how sick students and staff are isolated from others and who will think about them until they can return home.

What Doctors Are Saying About Covid-19?

Dr Aggarwal, former president and former honorary secretary-general of the Indian Medical Association told that “Coronavirus is large in size where the cell diameter is 400-500 micro and for this reason, any mask prevents its entry so there is no need to use trade muzzles. The virus does not settle in the air but is grounded, so it is not transmitted by air. Coronavirus when it falls on a metal surface, will live 12 hours, so washing hands with soap and water well enough are important”. 

He also added that “Coronavirus, when it falls on the fabric, remains for 9 hours, so washing clothes or being exposed to the sun for two hours meets the purpose of killing it. The virus lives on the hands for 10 minutes, so putting an alcohol sterilizer in the pocket meets the purpose of prevention. Also drinking hot water and sun exposure will do the trick. And staying away from ice cream and eating cold is important.

How To Tackle Workplace Risks In Context Of Coronavirus

Consider Promoting Hygenic Washroom Practise

“Sanitising rub dispensers must be placed in the most frequented office spots and thorough handwashing must be promoted with the help of posters (such as the one below) and other communication measures such as guidance from occupational health officers,” said Savitha Kuttan, cofounder & CEO, Omnicuris. Staff should be suggested to wash hands after entering the office and every three hours, say doctors.

Clean frequently used surfaces and door handles with disinfectants every 3 hours

 “At this point in time especially, surfaces and objects must be wiped with a disinfectant because contaminated surfaces are one of the main ways that the virus spread,” Kuttan added.

Properly Train canteen staff and office helpers

Make sure canteen area is properly cleaned and the canteen staff should be guided properly about hygiene should also ensure their canteens are clean and the chefs should be briefed about the process. “Avoid raw meat, fish, eggs and while preparing food, cook it thoroughly. Ensure a high degree of personal/food hygiene,” added Mehra. Clean utensils regularly as they can be carriers of infection.

Clean desks before starting to work

Use disinfected on three hourly bases for all laptops and mobiles a linen-free cloth dipped in alcohol or disinfectant wipe. “This is mandatory. Coronavirus, when it falls on a metal surface, will live 12 hours,” Dr Aggarwal said.

To conclude

While considering another infectious disease about which so much is as yet unknown, it’s imperative to search out reliable data and follow up on it. This article shares everything about Coronavirus to pay special mind to if you feel that the infection may influence you, however in case you’re a non-inhabitant and have not been in contact with anybody going from China. You get no opportunity of catching the infection.