Five steps to kicking out coronavirus
31 January 2020, by Abiodun E. Awoyemi
Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through NCDC. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following:
- Hands. Wash your hands frequently.
- Face. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Space. Maintain safe social distancing.
- Elbow. Practise respiratory hygiene.
- Home. If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early.
Basic protective measures against the new coronavirus, COVID-19
26 February 2019, by Abiodun Awoyemi
Wash your hands frequently
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
Maintain social distancing
Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
Practise respiratory hygiene
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early
Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up-to-date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent the spread of viruses and other infections.
If you are in, or have recently visited, an area where COVID-19 is spreading
Follow the guidance outlined above. Stay at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and a slight runny nose, until you recover.
Why? Avoiding contact with others and visits to medical facilities will allow these facilities to operate more effectively and help protect you and others from possible COVID-19 and other viruses.
If you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice promptly, as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. Call in advance and tell your provider of any recent travel or contact with travellers.
Further reading:
World Health Organization,
Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
Infection prevention and control: My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene
30 January 2019
Download the leaflet (PDF, 256 KB)
