WHO warns people to heed basic hygiene

The National Main Stories, Uncategorized

By LULU MARK
THE World Health Organisation has warned people to heed basic hygiene measures as the world responds to the coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic.
Country representative Dr Luo Dapeng said covid-19 spread primarily from “person to person”.
The droplets released when someone is sick, sneezes or coughs can land on the mouth or nose of people nearby, or from close contact such as hugging or shaking hands with an infected person, he said.
It can also spread if one touches contaminated objects or surfaces. Therefore he said fighting the pandemic required a joint effort form everyone
The key lies in everyone taking action to protect themselves and others.
The simple rules are:

  • Clean your hands regularly;
  • Cough or sneeze into your bent elbow and not your hands;
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth;
  • Avoid close contact with anyone who is sick;
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

“Fighting Covid-19 is our shared responsibility,” Dapeng said.
“Make these five simple precautions your new habits.”
He said most people infected with Covid-19 would only experience mild symptoms before fully recovering.
But some are more at risk especially older people and those with other underlying health conditions.
He said around 95 per cent of people infected with Covid-19 had recovered or were recovering. Children and adolescents are less affected.
Dapeng said though often mild, it was spreading very quickly and everyone needed to protect the most vulnerable including healthcare workers, people over 60 years of age and those with underlying health conditions such as heart or lung diseases and diabetes.