Corona FAQs
What is a COVID-19/Novel coronavirus?
This is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness in humans and animals. In humans, these large families of viruses are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
How does COVID-19 spread?
Coronavirus spreads primarily through contact with an infected person through respiratory droplets generated when a person, for example, cough or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose.
How long is the incubation period for COVID-19?
The “incubation period” means the time between catching the virus and beginning to have symptoms of the disease. Most estimates of the incubation period for COVID-19 range from 1-14 days, most commonly around five days. These estimates will be updated as more data become available.
How long does the virus survive outside human body?
Preliminary information suggests the virus may survive a few hours outside human body. Simple disinfectants or washing hands with soap water or hand sanitizer can kill the virus making it no longer possible to infect people.
Are there any specific medicines to prevent or treat coronavirus?
Those infected with coronavirus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimized supportive care. To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the novel coronavirus. Some specific treatments are under investigation and will be tested through clinical trials.
Is there a treatment for a novel coronavirus?
There is no specific treatment for disease caused by a novel coronavirus. However, many of the symptoms can be treated and therefore treatment based on the patient’s clinical condition.
Are antibiotics effective in treating or preventing the coronavirus?
No, antibiotics do not work against viruses; they only work on bacterial infections. The novel coronavirus is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment. However, if you are hospitalized for coronavirus, you may receive antibiotics since bacterial co-infection is possible.
Can humans become infected with the coronavirus from pet animals?
Based on current evidence, human to human transmission remains the main driver.
It is still too early to say whether pet animals could be the intermediate host in the transmission of the coronavirus.
Can coronavirus be spread through coins and banknotes?
There is currently no evidence to confirm or disprove that coronavirus can be transmitted through coins or banknotes. However, respiratory droplets expelled from an infected person can contaminate and persist on surfaces. Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly after touching any frequently-touched surface or object, including coins or banknotes.
How can I grocery shop safely in the time of coronavirus?
When grocery shopping, keep at least 1-metre distance from others and avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose. If possible, sanitize the handles of shopping trolleys or baskets before shopping. Once home, wash your hands thoroughly and also after handling and storing your purchased products.
Can spraying bleaching powder, detergent or chlorine all over body kill coronavirus?
Spraying bleaching powder, detergent or chlorine all over your body will not kill viruses that have already entered your body. Spraying such substances can be harmful to clothes or mucous membranes (i.e. eyes, mouth). Be aware that those substances can be useful to disinfect surfaces, but they need to be used under appropriate recommendations.
What is quarantine? What is isolation?
Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.
Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
