UPOU Advisory on Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)

As of 30 January 2020, the Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed the first positive case of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the Philippines. DOH, however, guarantees that all necessary precautionary measures are being taken to prevent the spread of the virus.

The public is also urged to stay calm, vigilant and practice good personal hygiene and a healthy lifestyle. 

Here are some precautionary measures from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations that we, at the UP Open University and our families, can practice to protect ourselves and others from a range of illnesses:

• Wear a face mask
• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue and throw used tissues away immediately and wash hands;
• Avoid close contact with anyone who has a fever and cough;
• If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your healthcare provider;
• When visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of novel coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals;
• The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.

Sources:

https://www.doh.gov.ph/doh-press-release/doh-confirms-first-2019-nCoV-case-in-the-country

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fguidance-prevent-spread.html