COVID-19

he Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease caused by a newly discovered strain of the Coronavirus which causes mild and severe respiratory illnesses and is more critical in patients with underlying health issues.

Coronavirus is spread mainly from person-to-person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The droplets from an infected person can land in the eyes, noses, or mouths of people who are nearby, can be inhaled into the lungs, or otherwise, settles on surfaces.

The virus can also spread when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touches their own eyes, nose, or mouth.

People are most contagious when they are most symptomatic (showing symptoms), while some spread might also be possible before an infected person starts showing symptoms.

COVID-19 symptoms range from mild to severe, and averagely, symptoms develop after 2-14 days after exposure.
The most common symptoms are:

Fever
Dry Cough
Shortness of breath
Tiredness

Other people infected with the Coronavirus may experience aches and pains, sore throat and sometimes diarrhoea, nausea or a runny nose.

If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms, you can take this self-assessment tool to assess your symptoms and promptly seek the help of a health expert or medical professional immediately.

The WHO, recommends frequent correct handwashing with soap and water to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. You can also clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or hand sanitizer. It is also important to practice Respiratory Etiquette to limit the spread of the disease. Respiratory Etiquette is an infection prevention measure designed to limit the spread of airborne diseases or respiratory pathogens spread by droplets. Respiratory Etiquettes include coughing into bent elbows, covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, proper disposal of used tissue paper, and proper handwashing or usage of alcohol-based hand sanitizer. By practising good respiratory hygiene you can protect yourself and the people around you from COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Social Distancing is also very important so as not to be part of the spread of the virus. Social distancing is maintaining a physical distance of three to six feet from people and reducing the amount of time spent physically interacting with people to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

What To Do If You Think You Have Been Exposed To The Coronavirus

If you have been to a country or city with confirmed incidence of the Coronavirus, or you have recently interacted with someone who has a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, you may have been exposed to the virus even if you took adequate precautions. The first thing to do is ensure that you Self-Isolate for 14 days. Self Isolation is remaining indoors and avoiding contact with other people, including people you live with to prevent possibly infecting them with the Coronavirus.

If you show symptoms within the 14 days while self-isolating, contact a health practitioner or your local disease prevention organisation for testing and help. You will need to Quarantine while you receive treatment if you are positive.

Please do not call to test if it is working as responders are likely to be swamped with calls!

For more information, please visit the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) COVID-19 site covid19.ncdc.gov.ng.

For global situation reports on COVID-19, please click here