12/03/2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has officially been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO).
What does this mean for South Australians?
The formal ‘pandemic’ declaration doesn’t mean you should be alarmed or stockpile.
It doesn’t mean the virus has become more infectious or more deadly, or that your personal risk of getting the disease is any greater.
What it does mean is that we are seeing more cases occurring in more countries.
A pandemic can be managed and minimised if we all follow the heath advice we are given and look out for each other.
We can all play a part in stopping the spread of infections:
🏡 Stay home from work and school if you are unwell (e.g. don’t go shopping or use public transport until you are well).
🤒 Avoid contact with others if you are sick (particularly vulnerable people such as older persons and people with chronic medical conditions).
🙅♀️ If others are sick, keep your distance from them as much as possible (at least 1.5 metres), avoid close contact such as shaking hands, hugging, kissing.
💧 Wash hands regularly, particularly after going to the toilet, blowing your nose or handling used tissues.
🤧 Cover coughs and sneezes with a clean tissue or your elbow.
✋ Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, or handling food, until you have washed your hands.
📱 Wipe down frequently touched surfaces.