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ABOUT COVID-19

What is a coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.

What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. COVID-19 is now a pandemic affecting many countries globally.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Other symptoms that are less common and may affect some patients include aches and pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but only have very mild symptoms.

Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing hospital treatment. Around 1 out of every 5 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart and lung problems, diabetes, or cancer, are at higher risk of developing serious illness. However, anyone can catch COVID-19 and become seriously ill. People of all ages who experience fever and/or cough associated withdifficulty breathing/shortness of breath, chest pain/pressure, or loss of speech or movement should seek medical attention immediately. If possible, it is recommended to call the health care provider or facility first, so the patient can be directed to the right clinic.

How does COVID-19 spread?
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease spreads primarily from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth, which are expelled when a person with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes, or speaks. These droplets are relatively heavy, do not travel far and quickly sink to the ground. People can catch COVID-19 if they breathe in these droplets from a person infected with the virus. This is why it is important to stay at least 1 meter) away from others. These droplets can land on objects and surfaces around the person such as tables, doorknobs and handrails. People can become infected by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. This is why it is important to wash your hands regularly with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand rub.

WHO is assessing ongoing research on the ways that COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share updated findings.

What should I do if I have come in close contact with someone who has COVID-19?
If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, you may be infected.

Close contact means that you live with or have been in settings of less than 1 metre from those who have the disease. In these cases, it is best to stay at home.

However, if you live in an area with malaria or dengue fever it is important that you do not ignore symptoms of fever. Seek medical help. When you attend the health facility wear a mask if possible, keep at least 1 metre distant from other people and do not touch surfaces with your hands. If it is a child who is sick help the child stick to this advice.

If you do not live in an area with malaria or dengue fever please do the following:

• If you become ill, even with very mild symptoms you must self-isolate

• Even if you don’t think you have been exposed to COVID-19 but develop symptoms, then self-isolate and monitor yourself

• You are more likely to infect others in the early stages of the disease when you just have mild symptoms, therefore early self-isolation is very important.

• If you do not have symptoms, but have been exposed to an infected person, self-quarantine for 14 days.

If you have definitely had COVID-19 (confirmed by a test) self-isolate for 14 days even after symptoms have disappeared as a precautionary measure – it is not yet known exactly how long people remain infectious after they have recovered. Follow national advice on self-isolation.

INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

1.0 Tutorial/lecture

Positive Cases Management
a. Students are to report to the Head of Department (Provide evidence such as the Home Surveillance Order from KKM) and also identify the close contacts.
b. The whole class will be shifted to online mode for 7 days (starting from the day the positive case was reported, inclusive of Saturday and Sunday).
c. Students must submit the release order from KKM and a negative self test results to the HOD before coming back to the campus to resume physical classes.

Close Contact Management
a. Only those who are in the same classroom with the positive student are considered as close contact and thus will follow lesson online for 7 days.
b. Close contact will need to do a self test before coming back to the campus on the 8th day.

Close Contact to the Close Contact Management
a. Close contact to close contact do not need to isolate.
b. If you do not feel comfortable, you can do your own Covid test.
c. However, if you choose to stay at home on your own reason(s) you are to do own study and kindly referto the materials posted online by your lecturer. There is no hybrid mode.

2.0 Examination

a. Students tested positive can take examination online. However, students must show the Home Surveillance Order from MySejahtera. Examination results will be 
    declare void if the students had taken the examination but failed to submit the Home Surveillance Order as a proof.
b. For outstation students, only those who are test positive are allowed to sit for examination online.

Updated on 23 February 2022.