In January 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of a new coronavirus disease in Hubei Province, China to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. It is a high risk of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spreading to other countries around the world The coronavirus outbreak first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China.

How COVID-19 spreads:

When someone who has COVID-19 coughs or exhales they release droplets of infected fluid. Most of these droplets fall on nearby surfaces and objects -such as desks, tables or telephones. People could catch COVID-19 by touching contaminated surfaces or objects –and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. If they are standing within one meterof a person with COVID-19 they can catch it by breathing in droplets coughed out or exhaled by them. In other words, COVID-19 spreads in a similar way to flu. Most persons infected with COVID-19 experience mild symptoms and recover.

Protecting yourself and your co-workers:

Coronaviruses are spread through close contact, including at work. Here are some helpful tips to help prevent the spread of germs:

• 1. Wash your hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• 2. Sneeze and cough into your sleeve.
• 3. If you use a tissue, discard immediately and wash your hands afterward.
• 4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• 5. Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• 6. Stay home if you are sick.
• 7. Avoid high-touch areas, where possible, or ensure you clean your hands after.
• 8. Where possible, wear gloves when interacting with high-touch areas. Do not touch your face with gloved hands. Take care when removing gloves. Ensure you wash your hands after removing them.
• 9. Wash your clothes as soon as you get home.