What is Coronavirus How does the virus spread Who is at risk Mitigation and prevention

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WHAT IS COVID-19
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Lesson 1: What is Coronavirus: COVID-19
Lesson 2: How does the virus spread
Lesson 3: Who is at risk
Lesson 4: Mitigation and Prevention

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What is Coronavirus – COVID-19
COVID-19 is a
disease caused
by a new strain of
coronavirus. 'CO'
stands for
corona, 'VI' for
virus, and 'D' for
disease.
Formerly, this
disease was
referred to as
'2019 novel
coronavirus' or
'2019-nCoV;
Human
Coronaviruses
are common
throughout the
world
The name
Corona refers to
a “crown” due to
these viruses
having crown-like
spikes on their
surface
The COVID-19
virus is a new
virus linked to the
same family of
viruses as Severe
Acute Respiratory
Syndrome
(SARS) and
some types of
common cold
COVID-19 is a
completely new
novel strain;
experts had not
seen this virus
ever seen before
The 2019–20
coronavirus
pandemic is an
ongoing
pandemic of
coronavirus
disease 2019
(COVID-19)
caused by severe
acute respiratory
syndrome
coronavirus 2
(SARS-CoV-2)

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What is Coronavirus – COVID-19

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HOW DOES CORONOVIRUS SPREAD?
• By coughing, the virus spread into the air
• Each droplet is potentially laden with viruses
and bacteria which can travel up to two meters
depending on the virus size
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HOW LONG DOES A CORONA VIRUS LIVE?
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This is subject to change on the latest data published

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WHO IS AT RISK?
• Employees are potentially at risk of contracting COVID-19 at their workplace as an
infected employee may be at work without showing any symptoms.
• Some workplaces have a higher risk of employees becoming infected due to the nature
of their work e.g. workplaces where close contact with other employees or clients may
be required.
• Areas at work where multiple employees gather in small or confined spaces increases
infection risk.
• To mitigate risk various control measures have been implemented including the
following:
• COVID-19 Company Policy: all employees must sign a register confirming that
they have read and understand the policy
• COVID-19 Workplace Risk Assessment – employees must sign a register
confirming that the Risk Assessment has been explained
• COVID-19 Safe Operating Procedure – employees must sign a register confirming
that the SOP has been explained
• Medical Screening Procedure – employees must sign register confirming that the
MSP has been explained
• Ensure that you familiarise yourself with and comply to the company’s COVID-19
control measures that are implemented to mitigate the risk of contracting the virus
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MITIGATION OF RISK IN THE WORKPLACE includes:
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Tertiary Prevention
• Education & Training
• Policies and procedures
• Mitigation of risk through a
detailed risk assessment
• Identify persons at risk and
respond appropriately
• Conduct daily COVID-19
symptoms screening &
management surveillance
• Respond appropriately when
there is a case of COVID-19 in
the workplace
• Rehabilitation of workplace
• COIDA / Compensation claims
• Leave management

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PREVENTION OF SPREAD IN THE WORKPLACE
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• Large companies can stagger the arrival times of employees so
that they don’t congregate in reception areas for screening.
• Stagger lunch and tea times
• Do not have lunch in communal areas
• When sharing an area with other employees ensure a 1.5 metre
distance between them
• Avoid using public transport when travelling to and from work if
possible - if this is not possible, ensure physical distancing, good
hygiene practices and always wear a cloth face mask.
• Place your handbag in a plastic bag if possible when using public
transport and dispose of the plastic bag immediately and
sanitize your hands when arriving at work.