Dear Friends & Colleagues,
As you are well aware, there has been an outbreak of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) which started in the Wuhan Province of China in December, 2019 and is now a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The virus is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.
Basic protective measures against the new Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
1. Wash your hands frequently: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub if your hands are not visibly dirty.
2. Practice respiratory hygiene: When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – discard tissue immediately into a closed bin and clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
3. Maintain social distancing: Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and other people, particularly those who are coughing, sneezing and have a fever.
4. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth: Hands touch many surfaces which can be contaminated with the virus. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your contaminated hands, you can transfer the virus from the surface to yourself.
5. If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early: Tell your health care provider if you have traveled in an area in China where COVID-19 has been reported, or if you have been in close contact with someone with who has traveled from China and has respiratory symptoms.
6. Avoid consumption of raw or undercooked animal products: Handle raw meat, milk or animal organs with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.
7. As a general precaution, practice general hygiene measures when visiting live animal markets, wet markets or animal product markets.
A free online training about COVID-19 is available here. I ask that you take the online training to keep yourself abreast of the Coronavirus.
For up-to-date situation report on COVID-19, please visit this link.
Be safe, please ensure you follow the protective measures.
Sincerely yours,
Prof. Folasade Ogunsola
ICAN Chair
