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WHO seem vague about the quarantine time, surely travel restrictions and any large gathering of people the obvious action to slow the spread of the virus.
Chaotic situation now, advice for returning travellers call NHS 111, stay indoors and avoid contact with other people. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
I received a text from my GP surgery this afternoon.
It said about not to go to the surgery if you believe you may have symptoms of the virus and/or have returned from any of the following places in the last fortnight:
China, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau or Italy.
Firstly, there's no evidence of COVID-19 spreading in the community in Australia so far. Common sense applies here.
But if you are worried, here is how to minimise your risk:
Wash your hands properly: Soap and water are two of our most powerful allies against infectious disease. Hand washing should take at least 20 seconds (hum "Happy Birthday" to yourself twice as you wash to keep track)
Be careful what you touch: We don't know how long the virus can survive on surfaces. Keep surfaces that are touched regularly clean, and avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes, especially if you haven't washed your hands for a while
If you're at risk of COVID-19 (for example, if you've been in contact with someone with the illness or you've travelled somewhere there's an outbreak) and you've got flu-like symptoms, phone your GP. But don't show up to a GP practice or hospital without telling them first, as they will need to arrange to protect others before you arrive
Get a flu shot when the time comes: There's no vaccine against COVID-19 (yet — and there won't be for some months), but using the vaccines we do have will help ease the burden on the health system and make it easier to identify COVID-19.
Put down the masks
Don't waste face masks by wearing them out of fear of the coronavirus.
Even though the Federal Government has activated its emergency response plan in anticipation of the virus being declared a pandemic, there's actually no evidence of community transmission in Australia so far.
Whilst we are preparing and we are realistic about what might come in future weeks, we are not in a situation where anyone needs to be concerned. No-one should go around wearing and wasting face masks.
Federal minister Greg Hunt says there are around 20 million masks in the national medical stockpile.