As the threat of coronavirus looms near, it is important that you protect yourself–especially at work.

The coronavirus outbreak might have started in China, but it is safe to say that COVID-19 has taken over the world. With close to 85,000 cases of infection, over 2,800 casualties, and more countries falling prey to the disease–the entire world is in a state of panic.

Needless to say that we all need to take the requisite precautions to ensure that we don’t become just another stat in the case of novel coronavirus. Which is why being aware of common symptoms like cough, fever, runny nose, sore throat and trouble in breathing is important when it comes to coronavirus prevention. 

“It can be more severe for some people and can lead to pneumonia or breathing difficulties,” the World Health Organisation (WHO) said in a statement. 

“More rarely, the disease can be fatal. Older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as diabetes and heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus,” the organization added.

The CDC suggests that sick employees should not return to work until their temperature has stayed below 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit  for at least 24 hours, without the help of paracetamol or any other fever-reducing medicines.

The CDC also suggests that surfaces like tables and chairs in offices should be routinely cleaned up and workstations, countertops and doorknobs should be kept squeaky clean.

This is especially important because a recent study claims that coronaviruses can survive on surfaces for up to nine days, which means that for optimum coronavirus prevention regularly disinfecting surfaces in public places is crucial. 

“Provide disposable wipes so that commonly-used surfaces can be wiped down by employees before each use. Cover your face with a tissue or your upper sleeve while coughing and sneezing,” the CDC said.