OFW guide: How to stay safe from novel coronavirus
Amid the news about a new deadly virus — the coronavirus which comes from the same family as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) — the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization issued precautions against it.
Health authorities said the "new coronavirus" has infected 12 people worldwide and killed half of them.
WHO urged the public not to label the novel coronavirus as "SARS-like" to avoid confusing people.
The DOH said the novel coronavirus may be spread through person-to-person transmission but is “not to be highly contagious” as only a few patients have contracted it so far.
The WHO, on the other hand, said it is “not known with certainty at this time” if the novel coronavirus can be transmitted from person to person.
“However, many of the symptoms caused by this virus can be treated and therefore treatment should be based on the symptoms of the patient. Moreover, supportive care for infected persons can be highly effective,” WHO said.
Still, both agencies wish to remind the public to always maintain good hygiene and proper etiquette as general measures against the novel coronavirus.
“Exactly how people become infected with this virus is not known at this time. However, some general measures that would be prudent and help prevent the acquisition of any respiratory illness are to avoid close contact, when possible, with anyone who shows symptoms of illness (coughing and sneezing), and to maintain good hand hygiene,” according to the WHO.
“Frequent hand washing, observance of cough etiquette and social distancing may help prevent spread of this illness and similar illnesses,” the DOH said on its Facebook page.
WHO also asks countries “to enhance their surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns of SARI or pneumonia cases.”
“WHO urges Member States to notify or verify to WHO any suspected or confirmed case of infection with novel coronavirus,” it said. - Gian C. Geronimo, VVP, GMA News
Health authorities said the "new coronavirus" has infected 12 people worldwide and killed half of them.
WHO urged the public not to label the novel coronavirus as "SARS-like" to avoid confusing people.
The DOH said the novel coronavirus may be spread through person-to-person transmission but is “not to be highly contagious” as only a few patients have contracted it so far.
The WHO, on the other hand, said it is “not known with certainty at this time” if the novel coronavirus can be transmitted from person to person.
“However, many of the symptoms caused by this virus can be treated and therefore treatment should be based on the symptoms of the patient. Moreover, supportive care for infected persons can be highly effective,” WHO said.
Still, both agencies wish to remind the public to always maintain good hygiene and proper etiquette as general measures against the novel coronavirus.
“Exactly how people become infected with this virus is not known at this time. However, some general measures that would be prudent and help prevent the acquisition of any respiratory illness are to avoid close contact, when possible, with anyone who shows symptoms of illness (coughing and sneezing), and to maintain good hand hygiene,” according to the WHO.
“Frequent hand washing, observance of cough etiquette and social distancing may help prevent spread of this illness and similar illnesses,” the DOH said on its Facebook page.
WHO also asks countries “to enhance their surveillance for severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) and to carefully review any unusual patterns of SARI or pneumonia cases.”
“WHO urges Member States to notify or verify to WHO any suspected or confirmed case of infection with novel coronavirus,” it said. - Gian C. Geronimo, VVP, GMA News
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