Fundamental hygiene measures are a very powerful way to stop the spread of infections, including the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Basic hygiene measures embrace:
hand hygiene – that’s, washing fingers frequently with cleaning soap and water, or cleansing with hand sanitiser
staying at home if you are sick
coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow after which performing hand hygiene
cleaning surfaces regularly.
The use of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face masks can reduce the spread of an infection when used accurately and within the appropriate context. This could also be beneficial in workplaces the place people are more more likely to come in contact with the disease.
Use of face masks
For most individuals in the community, PPE resembling face masks are usually not recommended. However, for individuals with symptoms of an acute respiratory infection, the WHO recommends that there could also be benefit in wearing a face masks to reduce the spread of infection to other people.
The right way to accurately wear and remove a face mask
If you’re unwell or have a job which requires you to be in shut contact with people who may have coronavirus, it’s endorsed you use a face mask. It will be important that face masks are worn and removed correctly. Masks ought to fit snugly and absolutely cover your nostril and mouth.
The way to wear a masks:
wash arms with cleaning soap and water or use hand sanitiser
place over nostril, mouth and chin
fit versatile nose piece over nose bridge
safe on head with ties or elastic
adjust to fit – secure on your head, fitting snugly round your face with no gaps
avoid touching or adjusting your mask throughout use.
How you can remove a masks:
wash hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser
avoid touching the front of the mask
if the mask has ties, untie the underside, then high tie
remove from face
discard, do not use again
wash fingers with soap and water or use hand sanitiser immediately.
Use of PPE within the workplace
Workplaces where individuals can preserve more than 2 metres contact distance from folks with potential COVID19 symptoms – Facemasks and gloves are not recommended.
Examples of these workplaces include – education facilities, pharmacies, shops
People who, as a result of nature of their job, could also be unable to maintain more than 2 metres contact distance from folks with potential COVID19 symptoms – facemasks and gloves are advisable when this contact is more likely to occur.
Examples of those workplaces embody – Police, jail staff, customs workers
These recommendations are a guide only and workplace settings not listed in the table ought to consider their ability to maintain the two metres rule and use the table to tell their use of PPE. Normally, surgical/medical masks stop the dispersal of droplets by an contaminated patient and the inhalation of droplets if within 2 metres of a coughing individual.
Hand hygiene and cough / sneeze etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues and wash hands) could have a bigger impact.
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