First Coronavirus Patient In Andalucia Returns Home

First Coronavirus Patient In Andalucia Returns Home. The first person in the region to be infected has now recovered and returned home.

First Coronavirus Patient In Andalucia Returns Home

Andalucia’s first coronavirus patient has now tested negative for the infection. He has been released from the Virgen del Rocio University Hospital in Sevilla and will receive outpatient care from now on.

The 62 year old man is thought to have caught the coronavirus whilst attending a party in Marbella, where two other people also caught the infection. The Department For Health has confirmed that there are no further confirmed cases in Andalucia today.

Experts are advising against using face masks as a precautionary measure.

No Need To Panic

The total number of confirmed cases in the province has just risen to thirteen as a 73 year old man has been admitted to Malaga hospital. However, health experts are still saying there is no need to panic. Some patients are receiving care in isolation at home, and others continue to be treated at local hospitals.

Health minister Jesus Aguirre is confident that the coronavirus crisis will soon pass. He says “The seasonal flu is very similar. In a few days everything will return to normal, it will cease to cause so much panic because it will no longer be something new”. He also points out that only 2% of the recorded infections have been fatal.

The CDC has advised against wearing facemasks.

Face masks Not Necessary

Despite the advice not to wear face masks, many pharmacies in the area are reporting that they have sold out. Chemist Juan Garcia in Malaga is urging people not to buy them until they are needed. “The face masks are not very effective at preventing you from catching a virus. Their main purpose is to prevent a carrier from spreading the illness. It’s better not to buy one unless you think you may be exposed. The best preventative measures would be to use hand gel frequently and maintain good personal hygiene”.

Frequent hand washing is advised to help protect yourself from catching coronavirus.

Protect Yourself From Coronavirus

There are some simple steps you can take to minimise your risk of catching the coronavirus. The CDC has issued these guidelines:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
It is not not recommended that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Published: 03.03.2020

Written by Dave James