Fundamental hygiene measures are crucial way to stop the spread of infections, including the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Primary hygiene measures embrace:
hand hygiene – that’s, washing palms commonly with cleaning soap and water, or cleansing with hand sanitiser
staying at dwelling if you’re sick
coughing or sneezing into a tissue or your elbow and then performing hand hygiene
cleaning surfaces regularly.
The use of personal protective equipment (PPE), equivalent to face masks can reduce the spread of infection when used appropriately and in the appropriate context. This could also be recommended in workplaces where people are more likely to are available in contact with the disease.
Use of face masks
For most individuals locally, PPE similar to face masks usually are not recommended. Nonetheless, for individuals with signs of an acute respiratory infection, the WHO recommends that there could also be benefit in wearing a face mask to reduce the spread of an infection to different people.
Easy methods to appropriately wear and remove a face masks
If you are unwell or have a job which requires you to be in close contact with people who could have coronavirus, it is strongly recommended you employ a face mask. It will be significant that face masks are worn and removed correctly. Masks should fit snugly and absolutely cover your nostril and mouth.
Methods to wear a masks:
wash fingers with soap and water or use hand sanitiser
place over nostril, mouth and chin
fit flexible nose piece over nostril bridge
safe on head with ties or elastic
adjust to fit – safe on your head, fitting snugly around your face with no gaps
keep away from touching or adjusting your masks during use.
The way to remove a masks:
wash arms with cleaning soap and water or use hand sanitiser
avoid touching the entrance of the mask
if the masks has ties, untie the underside, then top tie
remove from face
discard, do not use once more
wash arms with soap and water or use hand sanitiser immediately.
Use of PPE in the workplace
Workplaces where individuals can keep more than 2 metres contact distance from people with potential COVID19 symptoms – Facemasks and gloves will not be recommended.
Examples of those workplaces include – schooling facilities, pharmacies, shops
Individuals who, because of the nature of their job, could also be unable to take care of more than 2 metres contact distance from folks with potential COVID19 symptoms – facemasks and gloves are really helpful when this contact is likely to occur.
Examples of those workplaces include – Police, prison staff, customs workers
These suggestions are a guide only and workplace settings not listed in the table should consider their ability to take care of the 2 metres rule and use the table to tell their use of PPE. Typically, surgical/medical masks stop the dispersal of droplets by an infected patient and the inhalation of droplets if within 2 metres of a coughing individual.
Hand hygiene and cough / sneeze etiquette (keep distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues and wash palms) may have a bigger impact.