Covid 19 – infection, symptoms and prevention

How does the coronavirus spread?

Human to human contagion mainly happens via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens spread.  Similarly to SARS and MERS, the human to human spread has been confirmed through close contact.

Symptoms

SARS-CoV-2 infections may result in symptoms ranging from mild, to severe with possible death. Symptoms may appear from to 2 to 14 days after exposure and include: loss/diminution of taste and smell, fever, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhoea.

The prevention measures taken by the University of Bologna – Phase 3

Safety protocols for Phase 3

In compliance with national and regional regulations, the University of Bologna has adopted a safety protocol to manage phase 3.

From September, classroom-based activities, including teaching activities, will resume gradually and will also be available online.

Key principals remain in place:

• physical distancing;
• use, where necessary, of face masks to protect the airways;
• rigorous hand, personal and environment hygiene;
• ability of local public health services and hospitals to control and respond.

No access to University premises – Phase 3

Access to University premises will be denied to the following categories:

• anyone positive to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID+);
• anyone asked to self-isolate by health authorities;
• anyone with a body temperature higher than 37.5°C;
• anyone with other influenza-like symptoms;
• anyone aware of having been in contact over the past 14 days with people who tested positive to the virus.

By accessing University premises, you deny being part of any of the categories above.

Behavioural rules – Phase 3

• wash your hands frequently (How to wash your hands [.pdf])
• avoid hugging and shaking hands;
• keep at least one meter away from other people;
• do not share glasses or bottles;
• avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with your hands;
• cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough;
• avoid any form of gathering;
• aerate rooms as often as possible;
• utilizzo ove necessario di mascherine a protezione delle vie respiratorie (How to use surgical masks correctly [.pdf] – in Italian);
• lifts should be avoided and, in any case, may be used by only one person at the time;
• comply with access rules.