Keep up to date with everything you need to know about preventing the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
We will keep you informed and updated, as and when new information is available. Look out for regular communication from us or follow our social media pages for the latest information.

Stay Updated

If you’re worried about being infected locally or through interaction with someone who has just returned to South Africa – stay on track with news of the disease with live updates on the site below.(https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/)(https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/#news)

What you need to understand

COVID-19 spreads person-to-person.
The Novel Coronavirus spreads between people in any one of the following ways:

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

• Spread from contact with infected surfaces or objects; It may be possible that a person can contract COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, which land in the mouths or noses of surrounding people and are inhaled into their lungs.

• People are considered to be most contagious when they are the sickest or when the symptoms are most advanced.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19 infection?

The primary symptoms include the sudden onset of the following:

• Fever
• Dry Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

How can I help protect myself?

There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, includes:

• wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser
• avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• avoid close contact with people who are sick stay home when you are sick
• cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue away.

What does this mean for Affinity Health members?

If you suspect that you may have come into contact with the Coronavirus, the following information is important to note:

• Please do not rush to your nearest hospital, you need to remain calm and stay indoors and isolated.
• A health care worker will visit you in your home to collect a specimen and to complete the required documentation.
• If a healthcare worker is not available, you can request whether a self-testing kit is available from your nearest laboratory or contact your local GP telephonically for advice.
• Avoid unnecessary social contact.
• Avoid travel.
• Remain reachable for monitoring.

If you are in the situation where you feel you may have been exposed to the virus (according to the criteria as set out by the Department of Health), please respond by letting us know which province you are in and we will send you the relevant contact details or you can contact the Department of Health Coronavirus Outbreak Hotline on 0800 029 999.Affinity Health will cover the following for confirmed cases of COVID-19:

• Diagnostic testing.
• Consultations with healthcare professionals.
• Supportive care and treatment according to the Affinity Health benefit protocols.

Should you require hospitalisation, please contact us immediately to direct you to the closest isolation facility.
We have listed some important contact information below should you require any further information: