FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about COVID-19
What is a novel coronavirus?
A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identied. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.
Why is the disease being called coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19?
On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced an ocial name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, rst identied in Wuhan China. The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV”.
There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.
Question: Can humans become infected with COVID-19 of animal source?
Answer: Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans in China in 2002 and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Several known COVID-19 are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans. As surveillance improves around the world, more COVID-19 are likely to be identified.
Question: What are the symptoms of someone infected with COVID-19?
Answer: It depends on the virus, but common signs include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
Question: Can COVID-19 be transmitted from person to person?
Answer: Yes, some COVID-19 can be transmitted from person to person, usually after close contact with an infected patient, for example, in a household workplace, or health care centre.
Question: Is there a vaccine for a novel COVID-19?
Answer: When a disease is new, there is no vaccine until one is developed. It can take a number of years for a new vaccine to be developed.
Question: Is there a treatment for a COVID-19?
Answer: There is no specific treatment for disease caused by a COVID-19. However, many of the symptoms can be treated and therefore treatment based on the patient’s clinical condition. Moreover, supportive care for infected persons can be highly effective.
Question: What can I do to protect myself?
Answer: Standard recommendations to reduce exposure to and transmission of a range of illnesses include maintaining basic hand and respiratory hygiene, and safe food practices and avoiding close contact, when possible, with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
Question: Will warm weather stop the outbreak of COVID-19?
Answer: It is not yet known whether weather and temperature aect the spread of COVID-19. Some other viruses, like those that cause the common cold and u, spread more during cold weather months but that does not mean it is impossible to become sick with these viruses during other months. There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with COVID-19 and investigations are ongoing.
Question: What is community spread?
Answer: Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected. Each health department determines community spread dierently based on local conditions. For information on community spread in your area, please visit your health department’s website.
Question: Should I use soap and water or hand sanitizer to protect against COVID-19?
Answer: Handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Question: What should I do if I get sick or someone in my house gets sick?
Answer: Most people who get COVID-19 will be able to recover at home. CDC has directions for people who are recovering at home and their caregivers, including:
Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
Use a separate room and bathroom for sick household members (if possible).
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Provide your sick household member with clean disposable facemasks to wear at home, if available, to help prevent spreading COVID-19 to others.
Clean the sick room and bathroom, as needed, to avoid unnecessary contact with the sick person. However, some people may need emergency medical attention. Watch for symptoms and learn when to seek emergency medical attention.
When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention
Look for emergency warning signs* for COVID-19. If someone is showing any of these signs, seek emergency medical care immediately
Trouble breathing
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest New confusion
Inability to wake or stay awake
Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
Call 192 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
Question: What should I do if I have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19?
Answer: Stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19.
Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
Question: Are health workers at risk from a COVID-19?
Answer: Yes, they can be, as health care workers come into contact with patients more often than the general public WHO recommends that health care workers consistently apply appropriate infection prevention and control measures.
Question: What is the country doing to prevent the virus from entering the country?
Answer: Intense surveillance for suspected severe acute respiratory infections to be picked and tested for confirmation.
Public Health preparedness plans have been prepared and ready to be activated in the event of a pandemic in line with the International Health Regulations (2005).
Risk communication activities have been planned and aspects of it has started such as granting radio and TV interviews and port education on the virus.
Question: Can someone test negative and later test positive on a viral test for COVID-19?
Answer: Yes, it is possible. You may test negative if the sample was collected early in your infection and test positive later during this illness. You could also be exposed to COVID-19 after the test and get infected then. Even if you test negative, you still should take steps to protect yourself and others.
Question: Where can one get tested for COVID-19 in Ghana?
Answer: The following are currently the accredited testing centers for COVID-19 in Ghana;
National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL), Korle Bu, Accra
Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), Legon Accra
Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR), Kumasi
Veterinary Services Department (VSD) – Labone, Accra
Veterinary Services Department – Takoradi
Public Health Reference Laboratory – Tamale
Public Health Refernce Laboratory (PHRL) – Sekondi Takoradi
University Health And Allied Sciences Laboratory (UHAS) – Ho
MDS-LANCET – East Legon
Nyaho Diagnostic Laboratory- Accra
Akai House Laboratory- Accra
Council For Scientific And Industrial Research – Accra
LEDing Medical Laboratory, Accra
The Trust Hospital Company Ltd, Osu, Accra
Question: Are there any medications I should avoid taking if I have COVID-19?
Answer: Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that taking any specic medications, like blood pressure medication or ibuprofen, leads to more severe illness from COVID-19.
Continue to take your medications and to follow your treatment plan as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Any changes to your medications should only be made after talking with your healthcare provider.
Contact your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns.
Question: How can I prepare my workplace to keep employers safe?
Answer: Visitors and employees should wear masks to protect others especially where social distancing measures are dicult to maintain. Wearing a mask does NOT replace the need to practice social distancing.
Set up hand hygiene stations at the entrance and within the facility, so that employees and people entering can clean their hands before they enter. Employees should wash hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol can be used, but if hands are visibly dirty, they should be washed with soap and water before using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Examples of hand hygiene stations may be a hose and soap located at entrances to allow for handwashing before entry.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as grooming tools, halters, lead ropes, shared tack and equipment, and door handles/gates (including those to stall doors and pasture/turn out areas) on a routine basis.
Question: Where can I find more information about known COVID-19?
Answer:
Ministry of Health
World Health Organization
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
Ministry of Information