Since December 31st 2019, COVID-19 pandemic has claimed more than 7, 000 deaths with more than 180, 000 confirmed cases worldwide, according to World Health Organisation. In Rwanda, by Tuesday March 17th, seven cases had been confirmed with more African countries confirming more cases. As soon as the first case got confirmed, the government of Rwanda issued drastic preventive measures to contain the virus. All public and social gatherings were suspended and the public was urged to social distance and stay in their homes where applicable. Given that the virus takes up to 5 days to incubate, it is possible that it can be carried around and transmitted unknowingly. Therefore, to protect yourself and others, the World Health Organisation suggests seven simple preventive measures to use. Wash hands frequently Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Washing hands regularly is scientifically proven to be the most effective way to protect the virus spread. Without realizing it, hands can transfer the virus to our eyes, nose and mouth and can infect us. Here is how to thoroughly wash hands. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth Be aware and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth and can then enter your body and make you sick. Cover your cough, avoid handshakes and keep social distance When someone coughs or sneezes, they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. By covering your cough or sneeze you avoid spreading viruses and other germs to other people. By using the bend of your elbow or a tissue and not your hands to cover your cough or sneeze, you avoid transferring contaminated droplets to your hands. This prevents you from contaminating a person or a surface through touching them with your hands. Avoid crowded places and close contact with anyone that has fever or cough COVID-19 spreads mainly by respiratory droplets that come out of the mouth or nose when a person who has the disease coughs. By avoiding crowded places, you keep yourself distant (at least 1 metre) from people who may be infected with COVID-19 or any other respiratory disease. Stay at home if you feel unwell Stay at home if you feel unwell, even with a slight fever and cough. By staying home and not going to work or other places, you will recover faster and will avoid transmitting diseases to other people, if infected. Staying home will also avoid you from picking the virus from infected people. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early — but call first If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early — if you can, call your hospital or health centre first so that they can tell you where you should go. The toll free in Rwanda is 144. This will help to make sure you get the right advice, are directed to the right health facility, and will prevent you from infecting others. Get information from trusted sources Stay informed about the latest information about COVID-19 from trusted sources. Make sure your information comes from reliable sources — the Ministry of Health website, official statements, Rwanda Biomedical Center and the World Health Organization (WHO) website.
