Coronavirus: I Have Symptoms - What Should I Do?
If you have one or more symptoms similar to that of coronavirus (COVID-19), you must take steps to ensure you get the necessary medical attention while avoiding spreading the virus to others.
The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health has a 2-phase plan of action for people who suspect they've contracted the virus.
1. Coronavirus infection control measures
When you suspect you might have the novel coronavirus, you should immediately follow procedures to prevent transmitting the infection to your environment.
These procedures include:
Wearing a medical face mask to keep other people safe.
Washing hands frequently with water and soap to avoid contaminating surfaces and objects.
Completely refraining from all forms of close contact with other people, such as handshakes, hugs, and kisses.
Keeping a distance of at least 2 meters from other people.
Covering coughs and sneezes properly, using paper tissues or the crook of the elbow. After using a tissue, immediately dispose of it and wash hands with soap and water.
2. Going to the hospital
Before heading to the hospital's emergency department, the patient should call in first to perform an initial evaluation of their condition.
Moreover, calling ahead of time allows the hospital to prepare to receive the new case and undergo proper infection control measures. The following is a list of phone numbers of Lebanese public health authorities:
Ministry of Public Health COVID-19 hotline: 76-592699. Call this number if you feel symptoms of the coronavirus.
Lebanese Red Cross hotline: 140
Rafik Hariri University Hospital: 01 830 000
Ministry of Public Health general/inquiries hotline: 1214
Service of Preventive Medicine: 01/843769 – 01/830300, Ext: 435-436-437
Center of the Quarantine at Beirut Airport: 01/629 352
Going to the hospital in case of possible COVID-19 infection is a very important step that must not be ignored. Make sure you call first so that they can expect you and you don't infect others in the waiting room.
Once the emergency department receives a new suspicious case, it evaluates the patient and deduces whether or not they need to be quarantined and examined further.
And if the person turns out to have coronavirus, the hospital takes additional measures to identify the source of the infection of that case. Additionally, when a new case is confirmed, the hospital:
Intensifies infection control measures and quarantines the patient.
Informs the Ministry of Public Health of the new case.
Collects clinical samples from the patient for laboratory testing.
Provides medical care for the patient.
Identifies individuals who have been in contact with the patient and monitors their health.
Home Self-Quarantine instructions
In case the hospital instructs you to adhere to self-quarantine at home, commit to the following guidelines:
Do not leave your house for 14 days straight; refrain from going to work, school, public places, and all social settings.