First Africa Case Of Coronavirus Prompts Ghana Rugby To Advise On Protective Measures

ACCRA, GHANA. 28 February 2020/ - The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced the first case of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Algeria, Africa in its Situation Report – 37 of 26 February when it stated that “Algeria is the first Member State of the AFRO Region to report a case of COVID-19.” In addition Nigeria, just around the corner from Ghana, also reported its first case this morning.

This announcement has sparked the President of Ghana Rugby, Mr Herbert Mensah, to issue a communique to the Ghana Rugby Family on basic protective measures against the new coronavirus as outlined by the WHO.

The guidelines were taken from the WHO site (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public) and included the following guidelines.

Basic protective measures against the new coronavirus

Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. COVID-19 is still affecting mostly people in China with some outbreaks in other countries. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following:

Wash your hands frequently
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

Maintain social distancing
Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

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 dispose of the used tissue immediately.

Why? Droplets spread viruses. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early

Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. 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 the spread of viruses and other infections.

Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider

Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.

The Union also took steps to spray the Secretariat surrounds with disinfectants in order to ensure that bacteria and viruses in the area where many of the national players are camped is disinfected.

Mensah said that although Ghana and the rest of Africa is relatively void of reported cases of the Coronavirus at this stage prevention is always better than cure.

Mensah continued to say, “In rugby we focus a lot on prevention of injuries and while something like the Coronavirus, a threat that can be prevented through basic measures, is a talking point globally we believe that this step was necessary as many of our players may not be fully informed about the steps they can and should take.”

About Ghana Rugby
Ghana Rugby is the official full member of both World Rugby (2017) and Rugby Africa in Ghana-West Africa and is responsible for the management and development of the Game Rugby Union in the country. The Union is governed by a Constitution and administers five KPAs (Key Performance Areas) namely: (1) Youth Development & Growth through the World Rugby “Get Into Rugby” Programme, (2) Women in Ghana Rugby, (3) Training & Education, (4) Domestic Competitions and (5) International Performance.

Mr Herbert Mensah, President and Board Chairman of Ghana Rugby, “Prevention is better than cure!”