Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Several cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in South Africa.

Lonmin Medical Scheme is taking prudent and proactive steps to ensure members are covered in response to COVID-19.

Our approach is simple and in line with the WHO stance. We must all remain calm. We must all ensure that we spread truths about COVID-19 and overcome the misinformation in the public domain. We must encourage every South African to carry out the right behaviours to contain the illness where it occurs.

About coronaviruses

Coronaviruses 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) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.

A novel coronavirus is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. The 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. Early on, many of the patients in the outbreak in Wuhan, China reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. However, a growing number of patients reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, which indicates that person-to-person spread is occurring.

How does the virus spread?

COVID-19 spreads quickly, through:

• coughing or sneezing - people could catch COVID-19 if they are standing within one metre of a person who has the illness, by breathing in droplets coughed out or exhaled by the ill person;
• close personal contact, such as when shaking hands or touching others;
• touching an object or surface on which the virus is found (after an ill person coughs or exhales close to these objects or surfaces such as desks, tables or telephones), then - before washing the hands - touching the mouth, nose, or eyes.

What are the signs and symptoms to look out for?

The signs and symptoms of COVID-19 are non-specific. This means that the disease presentation or its signs and symptoms can range from asymptomatic people (no obvious signs or symptoms) to those with mild symptoms (like those associated with the common cold), as well as severe respiratory illness (such as pneumonia). In the case of severe or critical illness, the risk of complications increases and the complications can be life threatening.

Typical signs and symptoms

Most common symptoms:

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Fatigue
• Coughing up slime (producing sputum in the lungs)
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Headache
• Muscle or joint ache or pain
• Body chills

According to the World Health Organization, in more than 80% of all reported cases, fever is the most typical symptom. This is followed by a dry cough (in around 68% of cases), fatigue (38% of cases), producing sputum (33% of cases) and shortness of breath (nearly 19% of reported cases).

Less common symptoms:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Nasal congestion
• Diarrhoea
• Coughing up of blood or blood-stained mucus
• Intensely red eyes, watery discharge from the eyes, swollen eyelids and light sensitivity.
• loss of taste or smell
• a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes

Once a person has been exposed to coronavirus, signs and symptoms may start in as little as 2 days or take as long as 14 days. In most instances, the most obvious signs of infection are mild respiratory symptoms and fever. The time it takes for symptoms to appear is called the 'incubation period'. On average, official reports indicate that signs and symptoms typically develop five to six days after being exposed to the COVID-19 virus. This is often called the 'mean incubation period'. The full incubation period ranges between 1 and 14 days.

"The global outbreak has proven that no country or citizen is immune to the spread of coronavirus 2019. However, we are confident in our country's ability to manage the first local case of COVID-19 and further cases as they present."

When should individuals consult with their healthcare provider?

Doctors can only treat the symptoms of COVID-19 as they present. No specific therapy has been shown to be effective against the virus itself. If you feel ill and have any of the symptoms of infection with COVID-19 you must seek medical care early and share your previous travel history with your healthcare provider.

People who contract the COVID-19 may take anywhere from one to 14 days to develop symptoms. Even if you do not have a history of travel to a COVID-19-affected region, or contact with an individual who has acquired the illness, you must still inform your healthcare provider if you experience the symptoms of COVID-19 or call 0860 104 883.

Wellbeing for body and mind

You can challenge yourself to be active, eat healthily and take care of your mental wellbeing. See how the world's leading science-based, behavioural change programme helps you to stay healthy. It offers expert mental wellbeing tips, along with meditation and stretching or yoga videos.