What should I do in the case of a COVID outbreak?
Get the facts from reliable sources to help you accurately determine your risks so that you can take
reasonable precautions. Seek guidance from WHO, your healthcare provider, your national public
health authority or your employer for accurate information on COVID-19 and whether COVID-19 is
circulating where you live. It is important to be informed of the situation and take appropriate
measures to protect yourself and your family.
Which organs are most affected by COVID-19?
COVID‐19 can affect the upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, and throat) and the lower respiratory
tract (windpipe and lungs).
Is coronavirus a bacteria or virus?
The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when
an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose. To
protect yourself, clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with
soap and water.
Can COVID-19 spread through food?
It is highly unlikely that people can contract COVID-19 from food or food packaging. COVID-19 is a
respiratory illness and the primary transmission route is through person-to- person contact and
through direct contact with respiratory droplets generated when an infected person coughs or
sneezes.
There is no evidence to date of viruses that cause respiratory illnesses being transmitted via food or
food packaging. Coronaviruses cannot multiply in food; they need an animal or human host to
multiply.
Is headache a symptom of the coronavirus disease?
The virus can cause a range of symptoms, from ranging from mild illness to pneumonia. Symptoms
of the disease are fever, cough, sore throat, and headaches.
Can the coronavirus disease spread through sewage?
There is no evidence that the COVID-19 virus has been transmitted via sewerage systems with or
without wastewater treatment.
Can the coronavirus spread via faeces?
There is some evidence that COVID-19 infection may lead to intestinal infection and be present in
faeces. However, to date only one study has cultured the COVID-19 virus from a single stool
specimen. There have been no reports of faecal−oral transmission of the COVID-19 virus to date.
Is the coronavirus disease more severe than the flu?
COVID-19 causes more severe disease than seasonal influenza. While many people globally have
built up immunity to seasonal flu strains, COVID-19 is a new virus to which no one has immunity.
That means more people are susceptible to infection, and some will suffer severe disease.
Globally, about 3.4% of reported COVID-19 cases have died. By comparison, seasonal flu generally
kills far fewer than 1% of those infected
Is there a cure for COVID-19?
There is no specific cure yet for COVID-19 at the time this magazine is being prepared for
publication. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials to test various potential antivirals.
Current management of cases aims to relieve the symptoms while the body’s immune system fights
the illness.
Will I get more severe symptoms of COVID-19 if I drink alcohol?
Consuming alcohol will not destroy the virus, and its consumption is likely to increase the health
risks if a person becomes infected with the virus.
Alcohol (at a concentration of at least 60% by volume) works as a disinfectant on your skin, but it has
no such effect within your system when ingested.