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How to prevent catching and spreading coronavirus

Coronavirus COVID-19 is increasingly becoming a major world health problem. The following are basic protective measures against the new virus recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Wash your hands frequently
You should clean your hands regularly and thoroughly with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. This will help kill viruses such as coronavirus that may be on your hands.

Maintain social distancing
Make sure you maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the coronavirus COVID-19 if the person coughing has the disease.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Since our hands touch many surfaces, they can easily pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

Practice respiratory hygiene
You and the people around you should follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately. Remember that droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene, you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

Seek medical care immediately you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing
You are strongly advised to stay home if you feel unwell and seek medical attention if you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing.