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10TH - 16TH MARCH 2020 - EDITION 829
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Your Essential Weekly Read
Coronavirus creeps closer The first cases of Coronavirus have been diagnosed in the Vega Baja, Alicante and Murcia provinces with facts and figures changing daily. The majority of these cases are travel related and are being contained and officials are calling for calm. COVID-19 is mainly spread from person-to-person, usually via close contact or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus may also
spread through surfaces that have been touched by those infected. The virus then gains entry into your body when you touch your face. Its symptoms appear to arise in as little as 2 days after exposure or as long as 14 days after. Some people with the virus show very mild symptoms, while others fall severely ill. Because symptoms are so similar to a cold or flu, it's important not to jump to conclusions, but if you are experiencing
fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, the World Health Organisation (WHO) suggests seeking medical care early. If you have travelled to a high risk area in the last 14 days and are displaying the three main symptoms (fever, cough and difficulty breathing) it is recommended to telephone your health centre in advance before making your way there. The WHO also recommends that people frequently clean their hands with soap and water or by using 60 percent alcohol-based hand gel. It's also important that, when coughing and sneezing, people always cover their mouth and nose with the inside of the elbow or a tissue (and then immediately throwing that used tissue away and washing their hands). People should also try their best to avoid others who have a fever or cough. The Orihuela-Alicante Diocese has issued advice to parishes in the region to avoid potential spread of the virus. The advice includes avoiding the traditional ‘besapiés’ where mass goers would kiss the feet of a holy statue, a popular practice over the Easter period.
Instead, people can genuflect to the statue. Holy water fonts are not to be used and physical contact should be avoided during mass – a nod of the head instead of a handshake at the ‘sign of peace’ section of the mass. Priests and ministers of the Eucharist are also encouraged to wash their hands before and after giving communion.
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