AWARENESS SESSION

TO

DEPARTMENT OF
MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCES
Etando A. Ayuk 1
http://emcu.ac.sz/ By Etando A. Ayuk - HOD (Scientist/Chemical Pathologist) – Email: etand.ayuk@emcu.ac.sz
 PRESENTATION CONTENT
MEDLAB DEPT.
http://emcu.ac.sz/

Introduction/Background
COVID – 19 STATISTICS ESWATINI
Characteristics of COVID-19
Suspected Vs Confirmed Case
COVID 19 Vs. Flu Vs. Cold
Prevention and Control of Spread
Washing Hands, using Sanitizer & Wearing mask Properly
Awareness Lecture by
Addressing and fighting stigma Department of
Medical laboratory Sciences
EMCU Emergency Numbers

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By Etando A. Ayuk (Scientist/Chemical Pathologist)
 !!! IMPORTANT NOTE !!!
MEDLAB DEPT.
http://emcu.ac.sz/

Information on COVID-19 is rapidly changing, sometimes daily.

Refer to reliable sources such as the WHO, CDC, OSHA, NIOSH,
Eswatini Health Departments and peer reviewed science publications.

This presentation by itself is not sufficient training for students who have potential for
school exposure to COVID – 19

Student must take personal precautions and engage in relevant preventive training to
regulatory policies and procedures.
Training must include practice in putting on and taking off PPE
and respirators and performing decontamination procedures until competency and
CAUTION! confidence can be demonstrated.

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By Etando A. Ayuk (Scientist/Chemical Pathologist)
 COVID – 19 OVERVIEW
MEDLAB DEPT.
http://emcu.ac.sz/
WHAT IS SARS-COV-2?

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.
SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between
animals and people.
Spreads easily person-to-person

Detailed information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html 4

By Etando A. Ayuk (HOD MLS)
 Update slide: https://datastudio.google.com/u/0/reporting/b847a713-0793-40ce-8196-e37d1cc9d720/page/2a0LB

COVID – 19 STATISTICS
MEDLAB DEPT.
ESWATINI http://emcu.ac.sz/
UPDATED: JULY 13th 2020

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By Etando A. Ayuk (HOD MLS)
 Seasonal flu Vs. COVID-19
MEDLAB DEPT.
http://emcu.ac.sz/
WHAT IS SARS-COV-2? COVID-19 Flu
Cause Covid-19 is caused by the novel 2019 coronavirus, now nfluenza, or “Flu”, is caused by any influenza
called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus virus of several different types and strains of
2, or SARS-CoV-2 influenza viruses (Influenza A or B).
Sign and “One main difference in terms of disease presentation Comparatively, the flu does not cause
Symptoms is shortness of breath, which is a common sign of shortness of breath unless it has progressed
Covid-19 to pneumonia,
How long 5 days post infection, but symptoms can appear as 1 to 4 days after infection.
symptoms appear early as 2 days or as late as 14 days, and the time
after exposure range can vary
and infection
How long still under investigation Most people are contagious for about 1 day
someone can If a person has COVID-19, they may be contagious for before they show symptoms.
spread the virus a longer period of time than if they had flu. Older children and adults with flu appear to
If someone is asymptomatic or their symptoms go be most contagious during the initial 3-4
away, it’s possible to remain contagious for at least 10 days of their illness but many remain
after testing positive for COVID-19. contagious for about 7 days. Infants and
people with weakened immune systems can
be contagious for even longer. 6
By Etando A. Ayuk (HOD MLS)
 COVID-19 Vs. Flu Vs. Cold
MEDLAB DEPT.
http://emcu.ac.sz/

*Include repeat shaking with chills 7

By Etando A. Ayuk (HOD MLS)
 COVID – 19 TRANSMISSION
MEDLAB DEPT.
http://emcu.ac.sz/

COVID-19 is spread from person to person Droplet -respiratory secretions from coughing

mainly through coughing, sneezing, and or sneezing landing on mucosal surfaces

possibly talking and breathing. (nose, mouth, and eyes)

Aerosol -a solid particle or liquid droplet
suspended in air
Contact -Touching something with SARS-2
virus on it and then touching mouth, nose or
eyes
Other possible routes: Through fecal matter

https://www.grepmed.com/
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By Etando A. Ayuk (HOD MLS)
 COVID – 19 INCUBATION PERIOD
MEDLAB DEPT.
http://emcu.ac.sz/

The incubation period is the time between exposure to a virus and the onset of symptoms.
With COVID-19, symptoms may show 2-14 days after exposure.
CDC indicates that peocple are most contagious when they are the most symptomatic.
Several studies show people may be most contagious before developing symptoms.

INCREASED RISK OF SEVERE ILLNESS

COVID-19 poses a greater risk for severe illness
for people with underlying health conditions:
Heart disease
Lung disease such as asthma
Diabetes
Suppressed immune systems
By Etando A. Ayuk (HOD MLS)
The elderly have higher rates of severe illness
from COVID-19.
Children and younger adults have had less severe
illness and death.
Because COVID-19 is new, there are a lot of
scientific unknowns such as the impact on
pregnant women and their foetuses.
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 COVID – 19 SIGNS/SYMPTOMS
MEDLAB DEPT.
http://emcu.ac.sz/
COVID-19 can cause mild to severe symptoms

The Most common symptoms include: Other symptoms may include:

Fever Sore throat

Cough Runny or stuffy nose

Shortness of breath Body aches

Headache
Get medical attention immediately if you Chills
have: Fatigue
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Gastrointestinal: diarrhea, nausea
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest.
New confusion or inability to arouse. Loss of smell and taste
Bluish lips or face.

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By Etando A. Ayuk (HOD MLS)
 SUSPECTED CASE & COMFIRMED CASE
MEDLAB DEPT.
SUSPECTED CASE
A person who has both consistent signs or
symptoms and risk factors as follows: :
A potential exposure within 14 days
before the onset of symptoms.
Symptoms, including cough, fever, and
shortness of breath.
By Etando A. Ayuk (HOD MLS)
http://emcu.ac.sz/
CONFIRMED CASE
A confirmed case is a suspect case with
laboratory-confirmed diagnostic evidence of
SARS-CoV-2 virus infection.
Diagnostic Samples may include: blood,
saliva, or tissue sample
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 SUSPECTED CASE & COMFIRMED CASE
MEDLAB DEPT. All Teachers, Leaners, support staff, http://emcu.ac.sz/
parents and visitors to be screened

Screen for symptoms:

▪ Fever
▪ Cough
▪ Sore throat
▪ Shortness of breath
▪ Body aches
▪ Headache No
Yes ▪ Fatigue
Document on the surveillance log sheet

COVID SUSPECT NO COVID suspect

▪ Provide surgical mask Encourage the individual to

▪ Escort to designated isolation area
▪ Boarding Schools consider having to keep the client overnight continue wearing their mask
▪ Keep a distance from client of at least 1 meter and practice social distancing
▪ Alert parent to go to health facility
▪ Inform clinical team to conduct further evaluation
▪ Advise parent to keep child at home until cleared
MEDLAB DEPT. COVID – 19 SUIVEILLANCE LOG SHEET

Name…………………………………. Sex…………… Age………………………………….

Date…………..

No Symptoms Fever > 38 C Runny Nose Cough Sore throat Malnutrition Have you recently
(Check if none visited a COVID-19
experienced) Hot spot

None Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No

If Yes to any symptom prove a face mask, isolate then contact the Health care Worker (HCW) for linkage to covid-19 investigation

*Duplicate
1 form goes with the student
Another form remains with the school COVID-19
team
 COVID-19 - TREATMENT
MEDLAB DEPT.
http://emcu.ac.sz/

To date, there are no specific vaccines or medicines for COVID-19.

Treatments are under investigation, and will be tested through clinical trials.

Unofficial Regiments reported to alleviate symptoms, cute recovery and reduce motility
The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomes the initial clinical trial results from the United Kingdom (UK) that show
dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, can be lifesaving for patients who are critically ill with COVID-19. For patients on
ventilators, the treatment was shown to reduce mortality by about one third, and for patients requiring only oxygen,
mortality was cut by about one fifth, according to preliminary findings shared with WHO.
Remdesivir
Artemisia Plant (Wormwood)
Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine
Garlic, ginger

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By Etando A. Ayuk (HOD MLS)
 COVID – 19 PREVENTION
MEDLAB DEPT.
Wash your hands frequently: Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand
rub or wash them with soap and water were necessary warm water . Clean any objects you touch a lot.
Use disinfectants on objects like phones, computers, utensils, dishware, and doorknobs.
Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub remove and kills viruses that may be
contaminated from the surfaces on your hands.

Maintain social distancing: Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone
who is coughing or sneezing.
Why? When an infected person coughs or sneezes they spray small respiratory droplets from their nose or mouth which may
contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, or the droplets may contaminate your mucous membranes on
of nose, mouth and eyes.

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth

Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can contaminated by the viruses that are discharged from an infected person and staying
for a while on the surfaces. The contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus
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can enter your body and you get infected
By Etando A. Ayuk (HOD MLS)
 COVID – 19 PREVENTION
MEDLAB DEPT.
http://emcu.ac.sz/
Practice respiratory hygiene: Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory
hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or
sneeze. Then safely dispose of the used tissue immediately and clean your whole upper limb or wash
the clothes at the earliest
Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from the viruse

Practice self quarantine and seek early medical care: Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever,
cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention as early as possible. Follow the directions of the
Ministry of Health
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in Eswatini. Calling in advance
will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent
spread of viruses and other infections. Emergency number are found on next slides

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By Etando A. Ayuk (HOD MLS)
 HOW TO PROPERLY WASH HANDS
MEDLAB DEPT. WITH WATER AND SOAP
http://emcu.ac.sz/

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By Etando A. Ayuk (HOD MLS)
 HOW TO PROPERLY
MEDLAB DEPT.
SANITIZE THE HANDS
http://emcu.ac.sz/

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By Etando A. Ayuk (HOD MLS)
 HOW TO PUT ON, USE, TAKE OFF
MEDLAB DEPT.
AND DISPOSE OF A FACE MASK
http://emcu.ac.sz/

NB: The COLORED side Facing OUT. 19

By Etando A. Ayuk (HOD MLS) The WHITE side Facing IN
 HOW TO WEAR A FACE MASK
MEDLAB DEPT.
http://emcu.ac.sz/

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By Etando A. Ayuk (HOD MLS)
 RESPIRATORS
MEDLAB DEPT.
http://emcu.ac.sz/

Respirators are needed when there is a potential for aerosol transmission.

An N95 respirator is the minimum level of protection to prevent inhaling

coronavirus.

Surgical masks are not respirators!.

Surgical masks do not:
Fit tightly against the skin to form a seal
Filter tiny particles, such as viruses or bacteria that are in the air

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By Etando A. Ayuk (HOD MLS)
 COVID – 19 COUNTER STIGMA
MEDLAB DEPT. Viruses don’t discriminate and neither should we
http://emcu.ac.sz/
What we can do as individuals What we can do as professionals
Rely on and share trusted sources of Stay updated and informed on COVID-19 to avoid
information. miscommunication or inaccurate information
Speak up if you hear, see, or read stigmatizing Talk openly about the harm of stigma
or harassing comments or misinformation. View people directly impacted by stigma as
Show compassion and support for individuals people first
and communities more closely impacted. Be conscious of your language
Avoid stigmatizing people who are in Acknowledge access & language barriers
quarantine. They are making the right choice Check your own stigmas and biases Support
for their communities. community with where to access credible
Do not make assumptions about someone’s information
health status based on their ethnicity, race or Be transparent about COVID-19
national origin. Stick to the facts 22
By Etando A. Ayuk (HOD MLS)
 EMERGENCY NUMBERS
MEDLAB DEPT.
http://emcu.ac.sz/

EMCU COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM

DEAN - 76585219
NURSE – 76930698
NURSE – 76043345
COUNSELOR - 76127120

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By Etando A. Ayuk (HOD MLS)
 FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COVID -19
MEDLAB DEPT.
http://emcu.ac.sz/

COVID-19 Eswatini Dashboard (For Daily Updates)

https://datastudio.google.com/u/0/reporting/b847a713-0793-40ce-8196-e37d1cc9d720/page/2a0LB

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

http://www.cdc.gov
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
http://www.osha.gov
World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/en/
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
http://www.cdc.gov/NIOSH/
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By Etando A. Ayuk (HOD MLS)
Together
we can
beat
COVID-19