Covid-19: Protect yourself from the virus, some precautions

Since the onset of the highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 that causes Covid-19, several variants around the globe have been found and tested to check if there’s any change in transmissivity severity, clinical presentation, diagnostics, and vaccines for their prevention. These new variants can prove to be very dangerous owing to the fact that they now affect our body cells even more deeply.

What precautions to take during Covid-19?

1. Using appropriate personal protective equipment when looking after people suffering from an acute respiratory illness
2. Wash your hands regularly, especially after direct contact with people suspected to test positive for Covid-19
3. Maintain a minimum of the 1-meter distance between yourself and others when in public spaces, especially when indoors
4. Avoid spaces with the 3C’s: areas that are closed, crowded, or involve the risk of close contact. The chances of coming in contact with the virus are exponentially higher in crowded and low ventilated spaces.
5. Maintain cough etiquette, such as keeping a distance from surrounding people while coughing or sneezing. It is also considered appropriate to shield your face from others while coughing and sneezing while also using a disposable tissue and to wash your hands immediately after
6. Maintain protocols for infection prevention and protecting yourself while visiting any hospitals, especially emergency departments.
7. Wear masks as standard practice when going anywhere out of the house, especially in public places. Make it a habit to use soap or sanitizers immediately before and after using a mask while ensuring that the mask covers your nose, mouth, and chin simultaneously. Throw away disposable masks after immediate use and if using a fabric mask, then wash the mask correctly and leave it to dry.
8. Don’t touch your eyes, nose, and mouth repeatedly.
9. Frequently clean and sanitize surfaces regularly touched by other people, such as door handles and faucets.
10. When outside, avoid touching surfaces that most people touch frequently. For example, avoid touching the button for the lift with your hard, instead cover your hand with a cloth and then press it or do it using your elbow.
11. Ensure good ventilation wherever possible and avoid crowded places
12. If meeting people becomes necessary, ensure that you are doing so in a relatively open and empty space, where there are fewer chances of catching the virus.
13. Immediately isolate yourself after coming in contact with any individual who has tested positive for the virus.
14. Immediately isolate yourself if you notice experiencing any symptoms of the virus. Some common symptoms include fever, sore throat, fatigue, and body aches, while some other less common symptoms include red eyes, diarrhea, headache, loss of taste and smell.
15. If your symptoms such as fever and body ache don’t stabilize within a few days, consult a doctor for further advice.
16. If you’ve tested positive with the virus, make sure to isolate yourself and stay in a separate room, and open windows frequently.