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What we know so far about the Novel Coronavirus

As of this morning:

29 January 2020

  • One case of the coronavirus has been detected in Sri Lanka (source: Reuters)
  • Separate exit terminal has been set up at BIA airport for passengers arriving from China (source: Reuters)
  • Sri Lanka suspends visa on arrival for Chinese citizens (source: India Today)
  • It is still unclear how easily or sustainably the virus is spreading between people (source: Sri Lankan Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services)

About the virus:

(Source: Foreign Policy.com and Sri Lankan Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services)

  • The virus is contagious for roughly one to 14 days
  • The infected microorganisms cannot survive in the air for more than a few hours or travel a few feet
  • The spread is through direct and indirect contact, primarily when an infected person coughs or sneezes spreading the microorganism on nearby objects
  • Early symptoms include fever and cough, sore throat, shortness of breath (source: Sri Lankan Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services)
  • Advanced symptoms include chest infections and pneumonia-like physical signs
  • Few children have yet to be reported

Controlling the spread of the virus:

(Source: Foreign Policy.com and Sri Lankan Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services)

  • Wear masks and exercise hand hygiene (wash hands with soap and water)
  • Clean and disinfect areas and equipment with routine disinfectants
  • As a precaution, request anyone with symptoms of a fever present themselves to the closest hospital
  • Monitor and test anyone who has travelled to the Wuhan Province in China
  • Avoid physical contact with people known to be infected

Sources:

Reuters
“Sri Lanka confirms the first case of Corona Virus”
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-china-sri-lanka/sri-lanka-confirms-first-case-of-coronavirus-health-official-idUSKBN1ZQ1WF

India Today
“Corona Virus outbreak”
https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/coronavirus-outbreak-sri-lanka-suspends-visa-on-arrival-chinese-citizens-confirming-1st-case-1640802-2020-01-28

Foreign Policy
“How China’s Coronavirus Is Spreading—and How to Stop It”
https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/01/26/2019-ncov-china-epidemic-pandemic-the-wuhan-coronavirus-a-tentative-clinical-profile/

News first
“Health Ministry issues Coronavirus guidelines for health sector”
https://www.newsfirst.lk/2020/01/28/health-ministry-issues-coronavirus-guidelines-for-health-sector/