Primary hygiene measures are the most important way to stop the spread of infections, together with the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Fundamental hygiene measures include:
hand hygiene – that’s, washing fingers regularly with cleaning soap and water, or cleansing with hand sanitiser
staying at dwelling if you are sick
coughing or sneezing right into a tissue or your elbow after which performing hand hygiene
cleaning surfaces regularly.
Using personal protective equipment (PPE), similar to face masks can reduce the spread of infection when used correctly and in the appropriate context. This could also be advisable in workplaces the place individuals are more likely to are available contact with the disease.
Use of face masks
For most individuals in the community, PPE reminiscent of face masks aren’t recommended. Nevertheless, for people with signs of an acute respiratory infection, the WHO recommends that there may be benefit in wearing a face mask to reduce the spread of an infection to other people.
Easy methods to accurately wear and remove a face masks
In case you are unwell or have a job which requires you to be in shut contact with individuals who may have coronavirus, it’s endorsed you use a face mask. It can be crucial that face masks are worn and removed correctly. Masks should fit snugly and absolutely cover your nostril and mouth.
The right way to wear a mask:
wash fingers with soap and water or use hand sanitiser
place over nostril, mouth and chin
fit flexible nostril piece over nose bridge
safe on head with ties or elastic
adjust to fit – safe in your head, fitting snugly round your face with no gaps
avoid touching or adjusting your masks during use.
Learn how to remove a masks:
wash palms with cleaning soap and water or use hand sanitiser
avoid touching the entrance of the mask
if the mask has ties, untie the bottom, then high tie
remove from face
discard, do not use once more
wash palms with cleaning soap and water or use hand sanitiser immediately.
Use of PPE within the workplace
Workplaces where individuals can maintain more than 2 metres contact distance from individuals with potential COVID19 signs – Facemasks and gloves should not recommended.
Examples of those workplaces include – training services, pharmacies, shops
People who, because of the nature of their job, could also be unable to take care of more than 2 metres contact distance from people with potential COVID19 symptoms – facemasks and gloves are beneficial when this contact is prone to occur.
Examples of those workplaces include – Police, jail employees, customs workers
These suggestions are a guide only and workplace settings not listed in the table ought to consider their ability to keep up the two metres rule and use the table to inform their use of PPE. In general, surgical/medical masks forestall 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 arms) can have a bigger impact.