Coronavirus is caused by the Sars-CoV-2 virus, which can be spread from one infected person to another. The virus is transmitted in the air particles that you breathe, and that you excrete when you cough, sneeze or speak.
Most people recover from covid however if you develop a fever or difficulty breathing you should contact your general practitioner right away.
It is currently believed that it is easiest to get coronavirus when you are in close contact with an infected person. This is one metre or less. The people infected would emit droplets that could get onto another person.
It is easiest to catch the coronavirus if people infected are in a badly ventilated area. This is because it is possible for the droplets to remain suspended in the air if it is not well ventilated, and thus can be breathed in by other people in the space.
It is also possible to get coronavirus by touching or coming into contact with infected surfaces, and then using an unwashed or unsanitised hand to touch your face.
When Is An Infected Person Considered Contagious?
It is possible for an infected person to be symptomatic and still pass coronavirus onto others. Infected people are currently believed to be most infectious in the two days before they start to develop symptoms, and earlier on in the illness. If you develop a severe illness you could be contagious for a longer period.
Certain environments lend themselves to catching coronavirus more easily. Examples of these environments are places that
- Require you to be in close contact with other people (like clubs and bars)
- Are crowded
- Are badly ventilated and/or crowded
Your risk is greatest in places where these three features overlap.
Medical centres, clinics and hospitals where patients are being treated for coronavirus also put people at risk of infection. Healthcare workers in such facilities need to make use of the requisite safety measures and wear fully protective clothing.
If you have come into contact with another person who has tested positive for covid, you are required to self isolate for a period of 10 days, even if you do not have any symptoms.
If you have tested positive, you should also isolate yourself from other family members where possible. You should stay in a separate room and use a different bathroom.
Make sure you open the windows regularly.
Get vaccinated
When it’s time for your age group to be vaccinated, make sure you receive yours from your general practitioner. You can check here to see if you are eligible to receive your vaccine.
Make a point of keeping a metre away from other people, especially in public places. Any people infected with the virus may not display obvious symptoms so rather err on the side of caution.
Avoid unnecessary social gathering and non-essential contact.
Stay abreast of developments in your area, such as the number of people infected, and familiarise yourself with the rules and laws of your neighbourhood.
Wear a mask
Wear a mask when you are in public. It can protect the people around you and offers an additional barrier of protection. Wearing a mask shows consideration for other people, especially those who can’t wear masks, like small children.
Your mask should fit firmly around your eyes, mouth and chin. Make sure you clean your hand before putting a face mask on. Clean reusable masks every day.
Manage your environment
Avoid being in crowded poorly ventilated spaces for extended periods of time. Being outdoors is preferable to being indoors when it comes to social gatherings.
Avoid contact with surfaces
When you are out in public minimise touching surfaces and avoid bringing your hands close to your face.
Wash and sanitise your hands
Wash your hands regularly with antibacterial soap and use a hand sanitiser containing at least 70% alcohol.
Learn how to sneeze and cough in public
If you need to cough or sneeze, make sure you do it into the crook of your elbow, facing away from the people around you.
To find out more about how can you get the coronavirus or what you can do to keep yourself and your family safe, please contact us for an appointment: (02) 9159 6903.