Leadership by example – the Jubilee House, Ghana’s seat of government has introduced a new sitting arrangement at the presidency to help control the spread of the deadly Coronavirus during meetings with the President.
Visitors, maximum 25, who have an official meeting with the President, will not exchange pleasantries by means of shaking hands.
Seating arrangement
The seating arrangement layout is now designed to separate all visitors as much as possible so they do not get close contact with one another – this may help prevent the spread of the virus to minimize.
This new measure was effective when President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday, 16th March, 2020, met with leaders of the country’s pharmaceutical and banking industries to discuss the way forward after Ghana recorded six [6] cases of COVID-19.
What is COVID-19
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus. Symptoms include fever, coughing, sore throat and shortness of breath. The virus can spread from person to person, but good hygiene can prevent infection.
Symptoms
Symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Some people will recover easily, and others may get very sick very quickly.
People with coronavirus may experience:
- fever
- flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and fatigue
- shortness of breath
If you think you have COVID-19
If you are sick and think you have symptoms of COVID-19, seek medical attention.
How to seek medical attention
To seek medical help from a doctor or hospital, call ahead of time to book an appointment.
You will be asked to take precautions when you attend for treatment. Follow the instructions you are given.
If you have a mask, wear it to protect others. Stay at least 1.5 metres away from other people. Cover your coughs or sneezes with your elbow.
Tell the doctor about:
- your symptoms
- any travel history
- any recent contact with someone who has COVID-19
Getting tested
Your doctor will tell you if you should be tested. They will arrange for the test.
You will only be tested if your doctor decides you meet the criteria:
You have returned from overseas in the past 14 days and you develop a respiratory illness with or without fever
You have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case in the past 14 days and you develop a respiratory illness with or without fever
You have severe community-acquired pneumonia and there is no clear cause
You are a healthcare worker who works directly with patients and you have a respiratory illness and a fever
After testing
It may take a few days for the test results to come back.
If you have serious symptoms you will be kept in hospital and isolated from other patients to prevent the virus from spreading.
If your doctor says you are well enough to go home while you wait for your test results, you should:
- self-quarantine at home and do not attend work or school
- wash your hands often with soap and water
- cough and sneeze into your elbow
- avoid cooking for or caring for other members of your household
- wear the mask your doctor gives you if you cannot avoid close contact with other people
Treatment
There is no treatment for COVID-19, but medical care can treat most of the symptoms.
Antibiotics do not work on viruses.
If you need to self-isolate
If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19, you must stay at home to prevent it spreading to other people.
You might also be asked to stay at home if you may have been exposed to the virus.
Staying at home means you:
- do not go to public places such as work, school, shopping centres, childcare or university
- ask someone to get food and other necessities for you and leave them at your front door
- do not let visitors in — only people who usually live with you should be in your home
- You do not need to wear a mask in your home. If you need to go out to seek medical attention
- wear a surgical mask (if you have one) to protect others.
- You should stay in touch by phone and on-line with your family and friends.
Protect yourself and others
To prevent the spread of viruses, practise good hygiene and social distancing.
You should also follow our advice for travellers and advice for public gatherings and visits to vulnerable groups.
Good hygiene
Everyone must practise good hygiene to protect against infection and prevent the virus spreading.
Good hygiene includes:
- covering your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue
- disposing of tissues properly
- washing your hands often with soap and water, including before and after eating and after going to the toilet
- using alcohol-based hand sanitisers
- cleaning and disinfecting surfaces
- if you are sick, avoiding contact with others and staying more than 1.5 metres away from people
- cleaning and sanitising frequently used objects such as mobiles, keys and wallets
- If you have a confirmed case, you need to self-quarantine to prevent it spreading to other people.
Social distancing
One way to slow the spread of viruses is social distancing. For example:
staying at home when you are unwell
avoiding large public gatherings if they’re not essential
keeping a distance of 1.5 metres between you and other people whenever possible
minimising physical contact, especially with people at higher risk such as older people and people with existing health conditions
Surgical masks
Surgical masks in the community are only helpful in preventing people who have coronavirus disease from spreading it to others.
If you are well, you do not need to wear a surgical mask. There is little evidence that widespread use of surgical masks in healthy people prevents transmission in public.
Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
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