COVID-19 Pandemic: Advice For Staying Safe For The African Public

OVERVIEW

• COVID-19 spreads from person to person
  • via droplets when an infected person sneezes or
  • when in close contacts with a sick person, like hugging or shaking hands, or
  • from touching a contaminated object or surface.
• Currently, 4 out of 5 people infected with COVID-19 will experience only mild symptoms like fever and a dry cough.
• About 95% of people who have been sick with COVID-19 to date have recovered or are recovering.
• So far, children and adolescents have been less affected and their symptoms have been almost always mild.

WHO IS AT HIGH RISK?

• While COVID-19 is often mild, it is spreading rapidly. Therefore the following people who are at high risk need to be protected:
  • Healthcare workers
  • People over 60 years of age.
  • Those with underlying health conditions like diabetes, heart and lung diseases, and people with low immunity.

PROTECTING YOURSELF

• To protect yourself and others from COVID-19, embrace the following regularly
  • Wash your hands often with soap and clean water. Alternatively, use alcohol based hand rubs (hand sanitizer).
  • Cough or sneeze in your bent elbow, not your hands.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Stay away from large gatherings and avoid close contact with someone sick.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects.
  • Use a face mask when in public as local health authorities mandate and practice safe physical distancing always (i.e., stay at least six feet away from others in public). 
  • Get vaccinated and boosted as recommended by your local health authorities.

Adapted from WHO

Related: What Africans need to know about the coronavirus outbreak

Update (Jan. 18,  2023): Latest WHO guidelines on mask, treatment and patient care.

Published: March 13, 2020.

Updated: Jan. 18, 2023.

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