What is a coronavirus?
According to WHO, coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.
Symptoms of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
According to WHO, people infected with the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV or COVID-19) are likely to show the following symptoms:
- dry cough
- fever
- tiredness.
Less common symptoms include aches and pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes.
If the symptoms continue,
- Stay at home and avoid mixing with others.
- Request health care, by contacting the health service by phone and provide them with travel history.
- Do not travel while having symptoms.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
- Clean hands by washing them for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or with alcohol sterilizers.
People who experience fever and/or cough associated with difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, or loss of speech or movement should seek medical attention immediately.
What is the Somaliland doing to contain it?
The Somaliland’s public and private healthcare centres are conducting COVID-19 tests. Read about testing for COVID-19.
The health authorities have urged the public to trust only the information shared by official sources and warned against circulating misinformation and rumours. Read WHO’s myth-busters.
- Warn against hiking prices of masks
Somaliland Economy warned pharmacies against hiking the prices of masks and welcomed consumers to file a complaint if they found prices of masks being increased.
