Corona-virus (COVID-19) Awareness

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause a wide range of illnesses. Generally, they cause a mild illness such as the common cold. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new respiratory illness caused by a new type, or novel, coronavirus previously unseen in humans.

The virus is now spreading, which means that appropriate awareness training in the workplace will play an integral role in helping to stop the spread of this coronavirus.

Educating employees on the symptoms of the virus, how they can pre-emptively protect themselves and their colleagues, and what measures should be taken if they or a colleague have been exposed, is the first line of defense in fighting coronavirus (COVID-19).

Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. It can take up to 14 days from when a person has been in contact with coronavirus for the symptoms of coronavirus to appear. Symptoms may include fever (high temperature), coughing, shortness of breath, and/or breathing difficulties. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell.

Current data shows that most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around one out of every six people who get coronavirus COVID-19 become seriously ill and develop difficulty breathing.

Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. Current data shows that about 2% of people with the disease have died.

The precise way in which the virus is transmitted has yet to be determined. In general, though, respiratory viruses are usually transmitted through droplets, created when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Other people can then breathe in the droplets and get the infection that way. Droplets can also land on surfaces or objects. If other people touch contaminated surfaces or objects and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth they can also get infected this way.