There are currently no vaccines available to protect you against human coronavirus infection.
You may be able to reduce your risk of infection or spreading infection to others by doing the following:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Stay home while you are sick
When coughing or sneezing:
+Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your arm to reduce the spread of germs
+Dispose of any tissues you have used in the trash as soon as possible and wash your hands afterwards
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
Avoid visiting people in hospitals or long-term care centres if you are sick
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your
Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces
One of the simplest prevention measures a person can take is proper hand-washing.
Doctors recommend washing hands with soap and water before eating, after using the bathroom, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, and before and after caring for a sick friend or a family member.
The most effective way to clean hands is to wet them with clean water, then apply soap and scrub for at least 20 seconds, before rinsing and drying with a clean towel.
People travelling to the province of Hubei, China, should take precautions.
Health care or humanitarian workers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed coronavirus should use standard infection prevention and control precautions. This includes wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.
How can I protect myself from conornavirus ?
Hand hygiene is the first and most important line of defence.
Like cold and flu bugs, the new virus is spread via droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. The droplets land on surfaces and are picked up on the hands of others and spread further. People catch the virus when they touch their infected hands to their mouth, nose or eyes.
It follows that the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself is to keep your hands clean by washing them frequently with soap and water or a hand sanitising gel.
Also try to avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands – something we all do unconsciously on average about 15 times an hour.
Practise food safety
Other tips include:
Carry a hand sanitiser with you to make frequent cleaning of hands easy
Always wash your hands before you eat
Be especially careful in busy airports and other public transport systems about touching things and then touching your face
Carry disposable tissues with you, cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze and dispose of the tissue carefully (catch it, bin it, kill it)
Do not share snacks from packets or bowls that others are dipping their fingers into
Avoid shaking hands or cheek kissing if you suspect viruses are circulating
Regularly clean, not just your hands, but commonly used surfaces and devices you touch or handle
Stay healthy while travelling