Noval Coronavirus outbreak originating from Wuhan was declared an International public health emergency by the WHO on the 31 January 2020. As we speak, we already have a nationwide deficiency of protective mask and hand sanitizers where every household tries to get hold of some in an attempt to protect themselves of the threat of a pandemic. Although for 97-98% of infected cases so far survive the disease, that 2-3 % that die from the disease often die of pneumonia with or without kidney failure.
I have attended state health emergency meetings to prepare Australian medical practitioners for management of this potential pandemic outbreak and management of travellers and Australian residents coming back from Mainland China.
If you have recently returned from Mainland China.
If you are an Australian resident and have just returned from Mainland China and is well, I’m sure you have been asked by the Australian Quarantine Dept on your arrival to self-quarantine at home for 14 days before going back in the community, including presenting at our clinic for your skin cancer or cosmetic laser consults or treatments. If you have a just returned from international travels to Wuhan or Hubei region in China or other high-risk regions in China (this will evolve and change daily, so please check) and developed flu-like symptoms, fever, please call your GP or your nearest public hospital to ask for advice and allows them to take precaution before you are seen. In NSW, Westmead Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital have been set up for Coronavirus testing for high-risk cases, treatment and quarantine isolation but I also believe this will change if the outbreak becomes more widespread.
How to protect yourself in public places.
In the community level, when touching public shared items (such as handrails, public tables, lift buttons, supermarket trolley handle) where there could be live infective Coronavirus, I would urge everyone to be vigilant to take simple yet effective measures to prevent hand to face transmission where the virus can enter via your eyes, nose and mouth, by simple handwashing with soap and water for 20secs or use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Avoid close contact with people who are sneezing or coughing and please cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the cloths of your flexed elbow if you are the one coughing or sneezing.
If you have been one the fortunate ones to obtain protective masks, you need to use it properly to help protect you or your family properly or if you are infected, to use it to prevent the virus spreading to others.
I have made a video of instructions on the correct hand washing and use of protective mask, so please take a few minutes to educate yourself and you are on your way to protecting yourselves and your family better during this Coronavirus global outbreak.
For more information update, you can also visit:
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/alerts/Pages/coronavirus-faqs.aspx#1-16
Dr Samuel Seit
