Coronavirus: Advice and information from the province, Government of Canada and the WHO

Saskatchewan has recorded its first presumptive case of coronavirus, a 60-year-old who had recently travelled to Egypt.

After contact with a patient who is being tested for coronavirus, some members of the Saskatoon Fire Department have been quarantined, and branches of the Saskatoon jail are under quarantine after an inmate said he had been in contact with someone who had coronavirus.

CKOM/CJME has compiled information from the provincial Health Ministry, the Government of Canada, and the WHO (World Health Organization) about what the virus is, what to do if you get sick, and what plans the province has in place to this point.

What is a coronavirus and COVID-19?

According to the WHO, coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that may cause illness in animals or humans.  In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

The most recently discovered coronavirus causes COVID-19. According to the WHO, this new virus and the disease were unknown, prior to an outbreak in Wuhan, China in late 2019.

How does the disease spread?

The disease spreads through coughing and sneezing; the tiny droplets produced within two metres of an infected person.

It can also be spread by touching surfaces with the virus on it, then touching your nose, mouth or eyes, before washing your hands.

At this point, it’s not known exactly how long the virus can live on surfaces, but the evidence so far suggests it can live anywhere from a few hours to several days.

Symptoms of coronavirus

Based on the latest science, the time from exposure to developing symptoms can take up to 14 days.

Symptoms of coronavirus include mild to severe fever, cough, shortness of breath, or breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, the virus can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Older people or those with chronic illnesses like diabetes, cardiac or respiratory illnesses may be at higher risk for a more severe form of the disease.

Prevention and slowing the spread of the virus
 
There is currently no vaccine approved that protects humans from the coronavirus. Current information suggests that potential vaccines have been developed, but are either in the animal testing stages or must undergo stringent additional testing and approvals prior to administering to humans.

According to Saskatchewan Health, Government of Canada and the WHO, the best way to slow and prevent the spread of the disease is to practice good hygiene including:

-Coughing and sneezing into your elbow, NOT into your hands.

-Wash your hands often with soap and water; if that is not available, use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60 per cent alcohol-based.

-Avoid touching your face, including your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

-Avoid close contact with those who are sick.

-Avoid large crowds and practice social distancing (stay one metre away from each other and do not hug, shake hands or kiss).

Self-isolation vs self-monitoring

Self-isolation is a precautionary approach used to reduce the risk of spreading the virus from people who have been in an area of high-disease spread, or, in close contact with someone who has or may have COVID-19.

If you are required to self-isolate, generally, the individual is not sick enough to require hospital attention. Individuals should stay home from work, school, universities, social, sporting, cultural or religious gatherings and events.

The individual may not have any symptoms, or they may have mild symptoms. If symptoms become worse, call HealthLine 811.

Self-monitoring means watching closely for symptoms in yourself or family members/dependents and taking their temperatures twice a day. There are no restrictions on going to work or school, however, those individuals should still avoid large public gatherings, transit and other places where people congregate in large numbers.

Those people should still have a plan in place to quickly self-isolate if necessary.

If the individual has not exhibited symptoms after 14 days, at this point, the risk of transmission is considered low, and they can return to work or school.

If the person has had a secondary exposure during the 14 day time period, the self-isolation must extend a further 14 days from the last exposure.

Co-living or shared living

According to the province, if a person with symptoms is self-isolating in shared living accommodations like a university dorm, they should be temporarily accommodated elsewhere, or have family members or roommates re-locate.

Wearing  masks
 
Neither the province nor the federal government recommends wearing masks if individuals are healthy. They may give the user a false sense of security.

There is also a potential risk of improper mask use and disposal and they also need to be frequently changed.

Masks should be worn if someone is experiencing symptoms, or has been diagnosed with COVID-19 while they are seeking medical care.

In this instance, masks are an appropriate part of infection protection and may act as a barrier to stop tiny droplets from spreading when you cough or sneeze.

Medicines or therapies to treat COVID-19
 
According to the WHO, traditional or home remedies such as those that reduce fevers may alleviate symptoms can help, but there is no vaccine or cure at this time.

The Government of Canada indicates that most people with mild coronavirus will recover on their own.

The flu vaccine will not protect you. While coronaviruses are respiratory illnesses, the infections are not the same ones that cause the flu.

Saskatchewan’s plan

The provincial government is asking all travellers to self-monitor for symptoms of the virus (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) for 14 days after coming back to Canada.

They should also avoid places where they can not easily separate themselves from a crowd if they become ill. If the person suffers even mild symptoms, they should stay home and call HealthLine 811 for advice.

A pandemic plan has been developed. A link is provided on the Provincial Government’s website here.