Covid-19 | Covid-19 | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/coronavirus_header.jpg" width="1440" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <div class="ExternalClass5841C76765694030A83338271D61B732"><p>Find out about Covid-19 symptoms, treatment, testing and what you can do to limit the spread of the disease. <br></p></div> | <h2 class="sectHeading">What is Covid-19?</h2><p>Covid-19 is an infectious disease caused by the new coronavirus that was identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. It is a respiratory illness similar to flu, but is more contagious and has a greater risk of complications. </p><p>Four out of five people who contract the disease will experience only mild symptoms and will recover without treatment. Older persons and those with underlying health conditions are at risk of developing severe symptoms including life-threatening pneumonia. </p><p>The World Health Organisation has declared Covid-19 a pandemic, and has issued guidelines on reducing the risk of infection.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">What are the symptoms of Covid-19?</h2><p>According to the World Health Organisation, Covid-19 can cause severe illness or death, particularly in vulnerable and unvaccinated individuals.</p><h4>Covid-19 symptoms include:</h4><ul><li>Fever (>38C) or chills</li><li>Cough (usually dry)</li><li></li><li>Shortness of breath</li><li>Tiredness</li><li>Myalgia (sore muscles / body)</li><li></li><li>Headache<br></li><li>Sore throat</li><li>Blocked or runny nose</li><li>Loss of taste and / or smell </li></ul><p>Some persons may only have minor symptoms such as fever or chills, body aches, redness of the eyes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue or weakness, or tiredness. </p><p>There has been a recent tendency to dismiss common cold symptoms as unlikely to indicate Covid-19. However, since the Omicron variant first appeared, such symptoms should raise suspicion of Covid-19 infection. </p><p>Please be cautious and if you have any new upper respiratory tract symptoms, rather isolate and get tested (if you are eligible) or seek medical advice.</p><p>
<strong>Remember</strong>: An infected person is infectious two days before they develop symptoms. Furthermore, one in five infected persons have no symptoms at all. Don't let your guard down. Treat everyone as potentially infected. You could be with someone today who shows no symptoms, and one or two days later they can become ill and will already have infected you.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">How does Covid-19 spread?</h2><p>The virus is spread through the air via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets are then transferred through close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands, or touching a contaminated object or surface; and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands. </p><p>Because the virus is spread through the air, it is important to stay more than 1-2 metres away from a person who is sick. By taking a few simple precautions, you can greatly reduce the spread of the virus.</p>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">What is the incubation period for Covid-19?</h2></span>
<p>The incubation period is the time it takes 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, with symptoms appearing most commonly after around five days.</p>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">What must I do if I suspect I have Covid-19?</h2></span>
<p> If you suspect that you have Covid-19, please <strong>do not</strong> leave your home. Self-isolate for 10 days and seek care in a way that prevents you from spreading Covid-19 to others. Call your doctor, clinic or the Provincial Hotline on 021 928 4102. You will receive advice on what to do. </p>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">When should I visit the clinic or hospital?</h2></span>
<p> Go to the clinic or hospital urgently if any of the following symptoms develop:</p><ul><li>Difficulty breathing</li><li>Persistent pain or pressure in the chest</li><li>Severe diarrhoea and vomiting</li><li>Confusion or inability to wake up</li><li>Severe headache with vomiting</li><li>A child that is too unwell to drink</li></ul><p>If possible, call ahead. Avoid public transport. If necessary, call for an ambulance. Before you enter the facility, alert staff that you are concerned you have Covid-19. You will be asked to wait separately from other patients until a health worker can help you.</p>
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<i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>COVID-19 testing</h4><p> Healthcare providers will only screen patients for coronavirus (Covid-19) if they are exhibiting symptoms as there is limited laboratory capacity.</p></div></div></span>
<p>For further assistance, call the National Institute for Communicable Diseases Hotline on
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<em>0800 029 999</em></a> or the Western Cape Government Hotline on
<a>
<em>021 928 4102</em></a>.</p>
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<h2 class="sectHeading">How do I prevent being infected, or spreading Covid-19?</h2></span>
<p>Covid-19 is spread through the air. Close contact with others and gatherings in crowded and congested places will increase your chances of encountering someone who is infected and, in turn, infecting those who live with you. </p><p>Your chances of being infected are greater now than in previous weeks and it’s up to each of us to break the chain of transmission and flatten the curve. </p><p>You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading Covid-19 by taking some simple precautions. Doing so will ensure that you protect those closest to you, particularly those who are in your household and are a part of your ‘bubble’. </p>
<strong>Get vaccinated</strong>
<p>Vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from Covid-19, to slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging.</p><ul><li>Get fully vaccinated as soon as possible. It will reduce your risk of a severe infection</li><li>Encourage others around you to also get vaccinated as the risk of infection dramatically falls if both you and those around you are vaccinated</li><li>It is highly recommended that everyone 12 years and older get fully vaccinated</li></ul><h4>Avoid the three Cs:</h4><ul><li>
<strong>Close contact</strong>: Stay at home as far as possible. If you must leave home, then keep 1,5 metres away from other people as much as possible. Avoid contact with someone who is displaying Covid-19 symptoms. Avoid kissing, hugging and handshakes.</li><li>
<strong>Crowds</strong>: Avoid gatherings, large and small, as infection spreads easily in closed spaces where people gather. Limit your face-to-face interaction with friends and family not living with you. Instead, keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, Internet and social media. </li><li>
<strong>Congested places</strong>: If you are travelling on public transport, please open the windows. If indoors, ensure that windows and doors are open, where possible, to allow for good ventilation.</li></ul>
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<strong>Wash your hands with soap and water or sanitise with a 70% alcohol-based hand rub for at least 20 seconds</strong>. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Clean shared surfaces with soap and water, followed by a disinfectant (mix 6 teaspoons bleach in 1 litre water).</p><p>
<strong>If you are coughing or sneezing, cover your cough or sneeze in the bend of elbow or with a tissue</strong>, once used throw the tissue away and wash your hands.</p><p>
<strong>Stay home if you are feeling sick</strong>, but seek medical help if you have difficulty breathing.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Contacts</h2><h4>Western Cape Government Hotline</h4><ul><li>Telephone:
<em>
<a>0860 142 142</a> (Monday to Friday 8:00 - 20:00; Weekends and public holidays 8:00 - 16:00)</em></li><li>
<em>SMS: Send the word 'HELP' to
<a>31022</a> (standard rates)</em></li><li>
<em>Email:
<a href="mailto:service@westerncape.gov.za">service@westerncape.gov.za</a> </em></li><li>
<em>Call:
<a>079 769 1207</a><br></em></li></ul>
<img title="COVID-19" class="responsive" alt="COVID-19" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Inline%20Images/covid-info-800.jpg" />
<br> | | GP0|#1ec440f9-b422-4b16-83e2-481df060e8f1;L0|#01ec440f9-b422-4b16-83e2-481df060e8f1|Coronavirus (COVID-19);GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#d65ab879-2884-426b-a380-7b8f9433c812;GPP|#090e430c-3809-42d5-a80b-caea93b2beaf;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711;GP0|#99d69ba0-02b0-4ede-ada8-dc20bdc635c7;L0|#099d69ba0-02b0-4ede-ada8-dc20bdc635c7|Coronavirus (COVID-19);GPP|#4d9ccd12-a383-4753-97d8-71d13417b782;GPP|#36dcb5fe-6bfc-4ae9-92d7-8bd08d1f6414;GPP|#af370586-9ba3-404a-9d6e-02066ca42752 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Find out about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic including risk factors, symptoms and when to seek medical assistance. | 0 |