Coronavirus/COVID-19 & Sickle Cell Disorder (Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria)

What is Coronavirus?

-It is a new virus (discovered only in December 2019)
-It is not yet well understood, so scientists and doctors are still learning about it
-The virus affects mainly the respiratory tract – from the nasal cavity down to the lungs

What is COVID-19?

-COVID-19 is the illness or disease caused by Coronavirus
-The disease has since spread all over the world and on March 11, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared it a PANDEMIC.
-The incubation period ranges from 1 day to 14 days (ie, the period from exposure to the virus to the appearance of first symptoms/signs of COVID-19)

GENERAL DOs & DONTs

Dos:

-Listen out for accurate public Health information about COVID-19 (public announcements on Radio & TV – from the NIGERIA CENTRE FOR DISEASE CONTROL (NCDC) and government authorities
-Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water (for at least 20 seconds) Or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers where soap and water are not available
-When you have to Cough or sneeze, do so into your sleeve with your elbow bent or into tissue paper – which must be immediately discarded.
-If you travelled to any affected country in the last 14 days, or you have been exposed, stay at home for 14 days. This is called self-isolation
-If you are sneezing or coughing, or have difficulty breathing, CALL THE NIGERIA CENTRE FOR DISEASE CONTROL (NCDC) EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
–0800 – 97 – 0000 – 10 (TOLL FREE)
–+234 708 711 0839 (WHATSAPP)
–+234 809 955 5577 (SMS)
-Wipe railings, door knobs, surfaces with household bleach solution regularly
-Clean your mobile phone with alcohol wipes regularly

DON’Ts:

-Do not panic!
-Do not believe all you read on social media
-Do not use handkerchiefs when you sneeze or cough. Use tissue and discard immediately
-Do not stay in crowded places
-Do not stay near persons sneezing or coughing (keep a safe distance of at least 6 feet from persons sneezing or coughing)
-As much as possible, keep your hands away from your face – mouth, nose, eyes