LIFESTYLE NEWS - Dr Delene Brink, clinical microbiologist at Pathcare in George, urged the public not to panic about the new coronavirus (Covid-19).
"The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that if you live in an area that the virus has not spread to and you have not had contact with someone who has travelled to high-risk areas, chances of contracting it are very low.
“However, we should always still get the basics right and practise good hand hygiene. Also be more careful, wash hands often, especially when you are in a crowded area like an airport or shopping mall.
"I think the Department of Health's strategy would be to reduce people's exposure rather than have to treat loads of infected patients. South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has instilled trust as it has shown itself to be efficient and quick with test results. The NICD has been testing a lot of people who could possibly have been exposed."
'Several local cases tested negative'
She said several possible cases in the Southern Cape also tested negative.
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been using the NICD for all testing in Southern Africa up to now. However, the public laboratories in a number of other countries have recently been enabled by the CDC to also run the tests.
Pathcare assists the NICD by administrating the supply of sample containers to doctors and getting the samples to the NICD in Johannesburg as fast as possible via courier. "Pathcare is, however, trying hard to obtain the tests so that we can perform testing too. As soon as validation of the test is done, PathCare will be able to assist the NICD with testing."
Brink recommends a healthy lifestyle that supports your immune system, proper hand hygiene and the basics of not touching your face or greeting people with a kiss or hand shake if they have any flu-like symptoms.
“Vaccination against influenza is recommended because flu suppresses one's immunity. So like every year, we would advise all people with high risk factors to get their flu shot.”
Wearing a mask
Regarding wearing a mask, she said the virus is spread via droplet transmission. This means the virus will not stay airborne for a prolonged period but may be present on surfaces. It is currently not recommended to wear a mask as protection against the virus when you are in a public place.
"You have to really have close contact with someone to contract the virus. Practising hand hygiene will be more effective than a mask in preventing transmission. Have an alcohol-based hand sanitiser at hand in your pocket or handbag to use whenever you touch surfaces where others have been before you.
"Should you be diagnosed, the hospital might give you a mask to wear which will help prevent you from spreading the virus when you cough or sneeze. You will be asked to avoid public places."
Death rate probably lower than reported
Brink said the death rate among people diagnosed with the new Covid-19 is probably lower than the 3,4% reported, as many infected cases go unnoticed because they show minimal to no symptoms.
"The case fatality rate outside of China is currently 0,4% and even this is probably an overestimation as only symptomatic patients are tested.
"As is the case with all respiratory viruses, the mortality rate is highest in people over 80 years of age and those with underlying lung conditions (such as in smokers), poorly controlled diabetes, or heart problems. If you are 80 and healthy, your chances to become very ill are less. The death rate for people under 50 is much lower and the virus does not seem to cause severe illness in children."
She said all that can be done for Covid-19 patients is to give them supporting treatment. This can include symptomatic treatment with something as basic as Panado or putting a patient on a ventilator where it is a case of life and death.
"Local hospitals have got protocols and all the necessary protective equipment in place to handle possible coronavirus cases. GPs and other health care workers can always phone their local hospital or PathCare for advice on how to handle possible cases."
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