How to maintain Hygiene to prevent infection from COVID-19

By: Phurba Sange Moktan

Understanding the characters of COVID-19

The COVID-19 (also called SARS-CoV-2 or, 2019-nCoV)is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA coronavirus. It is a new strain of coronavirus that is causing an outbreak of serious respiratory problems in Wuhan, China and the globe. Researchers think it originated from infected animals and jumped over to infecting people in a large open seafood/animal market. Also, the virus is capable of person-to-person transmission, spreading to at least to 16 countries in about 1 month and now, in 186 countries (as of March 21, 2020). (source: WHO) It is related to the SARS and MERS coronaviruses.

COVID-19 transmission

There are two main routes of transmission of the COVID-19 virus: respiratory and contact. Respiratory: droplets are generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Any person who is in close contact with someone who has respiratory symptoms (for example, sneezing, coughing) is at risk of being exposed to potentially infective respiratory droplets Contact: Droplets may also land on surfaces where the virus could remain viable; thus, the immediate environment of an infected individual can serve as a source of transmission (known as contact transmission). (source: WHO)

Risk factors for COVID-19

Close contact with someone who has recently visited COVID-19 affected countries, close contact with anyone diagnosed with the virus; and coming in contact with secretions (for example, those produced by sneeze or cough) or feces from an infected person are the major risk factors for COVID-19.

Sign and Symptoms of COVID-19

Medical researchers estimate that the incubation period for a COVID-19 infection varies from 2 days to about 14 days. (source: WHO) COVID-19 common symptoms may begin like: Fever, tiredness and dry cough (source: WHO) or, Fever, Cough and Shortness of breath (source: CDC) Although early in this outbreak, Chinese researchers suggest that people who are infected but don't show symptoms (incubation period) may be contagious enabling to spread virus more effectively from person to person and makes it more difficult to isolate infected patients. Emergency warning signs to get medical attention immediately with trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or, inability to arouse and bluish lips or face. (source: CDC)

Major challenges to cope up with COVID-19

• Severe scarcity of medical mask, personal antiseptics such as sanitizers (liquid or,/and spray) in the local/urban markets.

• Long incubation period of the virus.

• Absence of safety kit to preserve hygiene of responders and people.

• It takes 48 hours to detect the infection of COVID-19 with lab test.

• Also, the over anxiety among the people due to over information with negativity.

Advices to follow when visiting/meeting people beyond usual members (outdoor)

• Don’t travel if possible (social distancing).

• Wear Masks (but don’t touch it frequently).

• Don’t go on crowd if possible.

• Carry alcohol based hand sanitizer with you always.

• Keep distance of at least 3 feet while meeting/talking.

• Don’t use the same mask maximum more than a day.

• Talk less or, only required with other people.

Specific 6 key hygiene behaviors for infection prevention

1. Completely stop shaking hands. In alternative, you can use namaskar (courtesy with pairing both hands together) or, any other distance courtesy methods.

2. Use mask when you visit outside of your house. Reduce touching mask with hand as possible. Staying at home is the best (social distancing). Avoid crowd if possible or, at least maintain the distance of 3 feet . Use the used mask maximum for a full day, then, either you can dispose it or, wash and sun-dry it.

3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

4. Wash hands thoroughly with soap or, liquid based sanitizer before touching nose, mouth and eyes.

5. Disinfect your daily life gadgets such as mobile, purse, keypads, etc. with alcohol based sanitizer. 

6. Keep yourself away from sick people. Don’t follow rumors, it will only create anxiety. Rather get information from authentic source and adopt hygienic behaviors listed above.

Further in short, 4 key lifesaving hygienic formula (mantras) would be much effective as WASH approach:

1. Wash hands thoroughly with soap or, sanitizer;

2. Always use mask when you go outside; 

3. Stay at home and away from sick people;

4. Handshaking should be stopped completely

(WASH approach for preventing infections from COVID-19)

(Note: Mr. Moktan is the certified Public Health Professional with WASH expertise. Further if you have any queries, you can write here or, mail him directly on: moktanphurba20@gmail.com)

[FOR MORE...]