Your shopping guide with tips to help prep for the Coronavirus in SA
The South African Ministry announced that it has just logged its first COVID-19 coronavirus case in Kwazulu-Natal.
In a statement on Thursday, the ministry of health confirmed that a 38-year-old man who returned from a trip to Italy tested positive for the virus. He was part of a group of 10.
Italy is Europe’s hardest-hit nation with more than 3000 identified cases, while globally, the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases is close to 100 000.
South Africa’s first case pushes the total known cases in Africa to 22. All cases remain ongoing. No recoveries or deaths have been reported on the continent as yet.
Algeria remains the African country hardest hit by the virus with 12 cases.
What are the symptoms of coronavirus?
The disease caused by coronavirus has now been named COVID-19.
Its main symptoms are:
- A cough
- A high temperature
- Shortness of breath
There is not yet a specific treatment for COVID-19, although scientists are working on a vaccine.
When going out or going shopping, here are a few tips to consider:
1. To protect against the coronavirus, everyone should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose with unwashed hands and covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze.
3. Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
4. Stay home if you feel unwell and try to do your shopping online.
5. Avoiding the consumption of raw or undercooked animal products is also recommended, as well as following good food safety practices.
6. When using alcohol sanitiser, it should contain at least 60% alcohol, avoid the alcohol-free sanitizers.
7. Your hands may touch many surfaces which can be contaminated with the virus such as railings or escalators, clean them immediately.
Shopping guide:
Multiple reports such as Business Insider, BBC News etc, have shown that these items have been selling out quickly since the outbreak started:
1. Tinned food,
2. N95 masks or paper masks,
3. Pasta,
4. Toilet paper and
5. Bottled water.
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Written by: Gabriella Steyn
Guzzle Media
