​Picture Credit: Gallagher Bassett

 

Background

 

An outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus (Covid-19), first identified in Wuhan, China, was declared a pandemic 11 March 2020 by the WHO.
 

Coronavirus infection (including long covid & repeated infections) can cause mild to severe illness.

 

Original Covid-19 virus symptoms:

​

• fever

• dry cough

• fatigue (tiredness)

• sore throat

• difficulty breathing

• loss of sense of smell

 

Headache, muscle soreness, stuffy nose, nausea, vomiting & diarrhea may occur.

​

In 2021, a new Covid variant, the Delta variant (Covid B.1.617.2 from India) has emerged with double the speed of transmission, with different symptoms. Early evidence (England & Scotland) suggests higher risks of hospitalisation and transmission in children.

​

Delta variant (now worldwide) symptoms

​

• stomach pain (due to blood clot in blood vessels to the intestine)

• nausea

• vomiting

• loss of appetite

• hearing loss

• swelling around the neck

• joint pain

• small blood clots leading to gangrene

 

It is reported that the Delta variant is airborne to 10 meters (meaning eye protection is  vital). This changes the prevention paradigm.

​

 

Due Diligence

​

All team members must keep record of movement log in the Covid-Health register (LeapFrog Repository) at first knowledge of having:

​

• traveled or are planning to travel (including inter-city or to intra-state holiday spots)

• been in contact with confirmed cases of COVID (or carers or confirmed COVID cases)

• symptoms of COVID

​

Please comply with local government issued health directives. Recent (Sep 2022) developments & business lobbying in Australia, has resulted in relaxation of Covid precautions. Our advise is still to err on the side of caution.

​

​

Control measures to manage COVID risks

​

• Working from home - if you can work from home, you must work from home 

​

• Physical distancing - keep a minimum of 1.5 meters from each other at all times (This distance increases in winter where indoor dry air aerosolises breath droplets - recent May 2021 reports from India estimates airborne distance at 10 meters)

​

• Dutiful Actions - If you are Covid positive, kindly self isolate for minimum 7 days from the first day of positive RAT test. (If you are a close contact of a Covid positive person, kindly perform RAT tests 2 days in a row, 2 days from the point you were aware of your contact being Covid positive)

 

For Australia: If GPs refuse to attend to you, there is a network of respiratory clinics which are oblighed to attend to your Covid positive symptoms /  condition. Search string "GP respiratory clinics"

 

For Covid positive staff, inform your team & up-line immediately, update Digital Reality's Covid-Health register, then update register again when situation changes later.

​

7 Mitigation Best Practices

1. Regularly clean hands with soap & water (min 20 secs) or alcohol-based rub (minimum 70% iso-propyl alcohol)

2. Cover nose & mouth when coughing & sneezing, dispose used tissues immediately

3. Keep distance of at least 1.5 meters between yourself & others

4. Clean & disinfect high touch surfaces regularly (e.g. phones, mouse, door handles, light switches)

5. Wear a face mask (valved N95 or Australian P2 standard preferred, or ASTM Level 3 Surgical Masks), with eye protection, if you have to move through high density spaces. Face mask saves lives by protecting others if you are an asymptomatic carrier & reduces the chances of lingering droplets getting into your respiratory system.  

6. The viral load (amount of virus particles exposed) determines severity of symptoms. It still pays to minimise exposure in situations where exposure is unavoidable.

7. School age children are exposed to the masses and have lower no-touch discipline. Whilst adults have the discipline and enduring composure to isolate, children often bring back external infections unknowingly. Additional diligence is advised.

​

3 Defensive Precautions

Mental Health - Help family, friends and  colleagues to cheer up by communicating often and genuinely asking the question, "Are You OK?"

 

Nutrition, Movement & Rest - Optimal health reduces the risks of severe symptoms. Sufficient levels of Vitamin D, C and Zinc is known to boost immunity. Stationary exercises & breeze walking are good minimum activities.

•  

Cyber Defense - Criminals are celebrating the fact that lower tech-skilled people are pushed to work digitally, at the mercy of hacking tools & techniques. Install & update OS software & anti virus packages. Learn about how hackers use human engineering (phishing, etc) to catch you off guard. Back up key data frequently.

​

 

All physical venues to install required local government QR codes for contact tracing

 

Australia - Victoria (free service) click here

​

Australia - New South Wales (free service) click here

​

Australia - Queensland (free service) click here

​

South East Asia & China - contact SJ Phuah for instructions

​

​

​

​

Superbugs Awareness Video (Antibiotic resistant bacteria are here to stay)

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​

Disclaimer:

The content on Digital Reality website, including, but not limited to, the text, graphics, images, links, and other materials are for informational purposes only.  The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and does not constitute medical or other professional advice.  Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Reliance on any information provided herein is solely at your own risk.