Nipun Jayasena

 

Keep your workplace clean and hygienic •       Surfaces such as. desks and tables   and objects (e.g. telephones, keyboards and light switches)   need to be wiped with disinfectant regularly •       Wash your hands regularly with soap and water When travelling on the bus or train stay at least one meter away from people who are coughing or sneezing. If you cough or sneeze, sneeze into your elbow.

When someone who has COVID-19 coughs or exhales they release droplets of infected fluid. Most of these droplets fall on nearby surfaces and objects - such as desks, tables or telephones. People could catch COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces or objects – and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. If they are standing within one meter of a person with COVID-19 they can catch it by breathing in droplets coughed out or exhaled by them. In other words, COVID-19 spreads in a similar way to flu. Most persons infected with COVID-19 experience mild symptoms and recover. However, some go on to experience more serious illness and may require hospital care. Risk of serious illness rises with age: people over 40 seem to be more vulnerable than those under 40. People with conditions such as diabetes, heart and lung disease are also more vulnerable to serious illness.  

In January 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of a new #coronavirus disease in Hubei Province, #China to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. WHO stated there is a high risk of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spreading to other countries around the world. In Sri Lanka there has only been one case so far. WHO and public health authorities around the world are taking action to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. All sections of our society – including businesses and employers – must play a role if we are to stop the spread of this disease.