Coronavirus is more deadly to the over 60s – the 9 steps to take to protect your family
THE new strain of deadly coronavirus doesn't discriminate and can infect anyone of any age.
However, it's older adults - aged 60 and upwards - who are more likely to get seriously ill from it.
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Medics say it's because our immune systems weaken with age, meaning an older person's body is less able to fight Covid-19.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and Clinical Director of , told The Sun: "We know that as you get older, your immune system becomes less efficient – that’s why older people are at higher risk of serious complications of coronavirus infection.
"If your immune system isn’t strong, it’s more likely that the virus can multiply deep inside your lung, causing inflammation and scarring.
"Your immune system will try and fight it off, and will often destroy healthy lung tissue in the process.
"This makes you more prone to get ‘secondary’ infections like pneumococcal pneumonia."
In fact, evidence from China, where the deadly virus originated, shows one in seven of those over 80 known to have contracted coronavirus have died.
Despite this, there are several preventative steps you can take to protect yourself and your family, particularly the elderly, from coronavirus.
Here, we take you through some of the main ways you can prevent illness...
1. Wash your hands
Health bosses say the best way to protect yourself and others is to wash your hands with soap and water for the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice.
Happy Birthday takes about 20 seconds to sing twice and is said to be the perfect number to clean your hands to thoroughly.
If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitiser that contains at least 60 per cent alcohol.
Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
2. Avoid close contact
If Covid-19 is spreading in your community, take extra measures to put distance between yourself and other people - especially those who are more vulnerable - to further reduce your risk of being exposed to this new virus.
Stay at home as much as possible and consider ways of getting food brought to your house through family, social, or commercial networks.
3. Try not to touch your face
According to a 2015 in the American Journal of Infection Control, people touch their faces more than 20 times an hour on average.
However, you'll need to try your best not to do this if you want to protect yourself from coronavirus.
This is because we're constantly touching surfaces contaminated with pathogens such as doorknobs, phones and handrails.
These pathogens can be picked up by our hands and get into the body through mucous membranes on the face — eyes, nose, and mouth — that act as pathways to the throat and lungs.
4. Cover coughs and sneezes
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
Throw used tissues in the bin straight away.
It's hard to know when someone is going to cough or sneeze, but if you can, try and avoid standing within two metres of them.
Droplets from a cough or sneeze can travel up to approximately 7ft (2.1m) when expelled through the air.
5. Disinfect surfaces
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, counter tops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
In particular, Dr Jarvis urges people to use a disinfectant spray instead of baby wipes.
She added: "It makes more sense to use a disinfectant spray, sprayed from a distance of about six to eight inches.
"The longer you leave the product in place, the better the chance of killing the virus. Leave it on for at least ten seconds, but as much as four minutes if possible.
"Then use a clean or ideally disposable cloth to wipe it off, wiping in one direction only.
"If you are using wipes (for instance, for computer keyboards which might be damaged by a spray) use an alcohol-based type."
6. Avoid crowds
The World Health Organisation have urged people - particularly those over the age of 60 - to avoid crowds, especially in poorly-ventilated spaces.
This is because risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like Covid-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.
WHO's Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tweeted: "If you are 60+, or have an underlying condition like cardiovascular disease, a respiratory condition or diabetes, you have a higher risk of developing severe #COVID19.
"Try to avoid crowded areas, or places where you might interact with people who are sick."
7. Have a plan in place
Have a plan for if you get sick and consult with your health care provider for more information about monitoring your health for symptoms suggestive of Covid-19.
In particular, make sure elderly relatives stay off public transport, and order goods remotely rather than going to the shops.
8. Stay at home if you're sick
Stay at home if you are sick, except to get medical care.
In particular, make sure to stay away from older or vulnerable members of the family for at least a week if you have any symptoms of a cold, including a fever, a cough or shortness of breath.
Dr Jarvis added: "Kids tend to get coughs and colds often, and we’re not sure how good they are at spreading it to others.
"But until we do know, it’s a good idea to err on the side of caution and keep them away if they have any symptoms."
9. Watch for symptoms
Pay attention for potential Covid-19 symptoms including, fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
If you feel like you are developing symptoms, call your doctor.
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If you develop emergency warning signs for Covid-19, get medical attention immediately.
In adults, emergency warning signs include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse and bluish lips or face.
If you're in doubt you can visit the Patient Access' clinically approved coronavirus checking tool .