JEDDAH — Dr. Mohammed Alghamdi, internal medicine and infection disease consultant at Saudi German Hospitals (SGH) Group, emphasized that it is important to be vigilant and armed with the correct knowledge of COVID-19.

"These are the best measures to protect ourselves from a respiratory illness caused by the virus when traveling," he said, although "no cases have been reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,"

He pointed out that number of people infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) globally continues to increase while health authorities around the world are doing their best to address the issue.

The infection, according to report, can be transmitted by inhalation, by touch, or by consuming infected food. To protect ourselves from and prevent the spread of the virus, Dr. Alghamdi strongly advised people to take precautionary measures.

“We advise people who are traveling to avoid crowded and unventilated places, they are also advised to refrain from eating raw or undercooked meat. Always wash the fruits, and vegetables thoroughly. Place them in clean containers and refrigerators to prevent bacterial contamination. The old rule of observing personal hygiene also comes into play. It remains to be the best protection against any form of infection.”

It is also advisable to wear disposable surgical masks and gloves, and change them on a daily basis, if you are dealing with suspected or infected patients or if a healthcare professional recommends that you do so.

"Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing with a tissue. Throw the tissue properly and always wash your hands before touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Similarly, sanitize your hands after using the toilet and eating. Scrub them thoroughly for at least 20 seconds," he elaborated.

As authorities work to contain the spread of COVID-19, members of the local communities should do their utmost best to remain healthy, stay protected, and be informed and updated at all times.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined coronaviruses as “a large family of viruses that can 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).”

In the case of COVID-19, WHO says it is “a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.” Authorities believe that the COVID-19 virus may have originated in a wet market in Wuhan in China.

People infected with COVID-19 may likely experience the following symptoms: sore throat, cough, fever, and difficulty in breathing. As per WHO, it can also cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and death. — SG