The current Coronavirus poses an unprecedented global war which humanity faces as an enemy. This novel virus named SARS-CoV-2 (initially named CoVid-19) is similar to infectious bronchitis viruses, human coronavirus 229E, human coronavirus OC43, common cold, MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) and SARS-CoV (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome).As usual, the hospital is the first battlefield where our medical or health workers as soldiers, wage war against this pandemic. In order to win it, we must ensure that our medical or health workers are guaranteed the sufficient resources, technologies and experience or expertise. For this, we need to make sure that the hospital as the battleground is where the virus is eliminated, but not where we are defeated.
Symptoms of CoVid-19
The gestation period is said to be between 2-14 days within which one manifests these symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, headache, chills, and aches.
Modes of Transmission
The virus spreads from person to person through close contact, respiratory droplets as an infected person coughs or sneezes, and through contaminated objects or surfaces.
Ways of Protecting Oneself and Others from the Virus
This can be achieved if one:
Cleans hands often, avoids close contact, stays home when he or she is sick, seeks medical attention, covers coughs and sneezes, wears a face mask, avoids sharing personal household items. One should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home etc. Communities should strictly adhere to these precautions.
How can one manage CoVid-19 carefully at home or in a religious community?
One should:
Place the patient in a well-ventilated single room alone, limit the number of caregivers and the movement of the patient in the house and minimize shared space; visitors should not be allowed until the patient has fully recovered; use dedicated linen and eating utensils for the patient; perform hand hygiene regularly and avoid direct contact with body fluids.
Who are those likely to be contacted?
All persons who have been exposed to CoVid-19 patient(s) are considered contacts and should be monitored for 21 days: those, who took direct care of patients, worked together with them in close proximity or shared the same facility, and those, who travelled with them.
Author; Benzen Julius