The new Covid-19 coronavirus was first detected in December 2019 in the Yuhan region of China and is a new coronavirus strain that had not been isolated in humans until then. The new coronavirus has no relation to other coronavirus strains (eg 229E, NL63, OC43, HKU1) that are isolated in humans and cause mild symptoms such as the common cold.

We are not able to predict the duration of the epidemic and how it will develop. This is a new pathogen, of which our knowledge is still limited. For example, it is unknown whether transmission to the community will be limited during the summer, as is the case with seasonal flu.

Coronaviruses infect animals but some of them also infect humans. Rare strains that infect animals can be transmitted to humans with the exception of MERS virus, SARS virus and now Covid-19 virus.

Although the virus comes from animals, it is transmitted from person to person and easily and steadily spreads in the community. Dissemination in the community means the occurrence of confirmed cases for which the source of transmission is unknown.

Strict adherence to social distance measures and the parallel proper implementation of personal protection measures limits the rate of dispersal in the community.

The virus is transmitted from person to person. A person with symptoms with the new Covid-19 coronavirus infection can transmit the disease to other people. For this reason, it is recommended to isolate symptomatic patients in the hospital or at home depending on the severity of their clinical picture. Patients cease to be contagious, and it is therefore decided to remove the isolation when ALL THE FOLLOWINGS are met:

• They are fever-free without the use of medication
• They are asymptomatic (AND without cough)

Quarantine is a measure of isolation of individuals or groups of individuals after possible exposure to a pathogen that has not yet shown symptoms, to prevent spread. The duration of quarantine is equal to the incubation time of the disease, which is the time between the last exposure to the pathogen and the onset of symptoms. The incubation time for new Covid-19 coronavirus infection is 14 days. People whose quarantine has been decided cannot transmit the disease.

(Including frozen or frozen foods)

Covid-19 is transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets (eg cough, sneezing, runny nose). There is no evidence of transmission through food. However, it is necessary to wash your hands with soap and water before cooking or eating after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose after using the toilet.

It is possible to transmit the disease by contact with surfaces infected with a new Covid-19 coronavirus and then touching the mouth, nose, or eyes with the hands, although this is not the main mode of transmission.

However, due to the poor survival of the virus on the surfaces, it is considered extremely difficult to transmit through food or packages that have been transported for days or weeks at room temperature or in refrigerated or frozen conditions.

It is not known at this time whether improved weather and higher temperatures are associated with limited spread of the new Covid-19 coronavirus. Other viruses, such as seasonal flu and the common cold, are more easily transmitted during the colder months, but this does not rule out the possibility of illness during periods of high temperatures.

It is not known at this time whether improved weather and higher temperatures are associated with limited spread of the new Covid-19 coronavirus. Other viruses, such as seasonal flu and the common cold, are more easily transmitted during the colder months, but this does not rule out the possibility of illness during periods of high temperatures.

If you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of new COVID-19 coronavirus stay at home for 14 days from the last contact and monitor your health. If you experience symptoms compatible with a new Covid-19 coronavirus infection such as:

• fever
• cough
• breathing difficulty

contact your personal physician directly.

The high-risk groups include the elderly as well as people of any age with underlying chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, lung disease, diabetes, immunodeficiency.

For individuals belonging to vulnerable groups of the population, it is considered particularly necessary the systematic implementation of all measures to prevent the transmission and spread of the new coronavirus Covid-19, with emphasis on the following:

• Avoid contact with people with symptoms of respiratory infection.
• Avoid all unnecessary travel, especially to areas or countries with confirmed transmission of the virus to the community.
• Apply hand hygiene and avoid hand contact with the face (eyes, nose, mouth).
• Adherence to the chronic medication they may receive and the instructions of the treating physicians.
• Avoid synchronization and event venues unless necessary.
• Immediate contact with the treating physician in case of symptoms of respiratory infection and medical evaluation.
• Avoid visits to inpatients.
• Avoiding visits to health services without a serious reason.

The use of a mask prevents the transmission of the disease from patients to healthy people. Therefore the mask is used only for protection of health professionals, of people caring for patients with a new Covid-19 coronavirus infection (eg at home, in institutions for the chronically ill) and its use is not recommended in the healthy population.

Because SARS-Cov2 does not survive on surfaces for long periods of time, the risk of transmission from products or packages that have traveled for days or weeks at room temperature is extremely low. Coronaviruses are transmitted mainly by respiratory droplets.

There is currently no evidence to support the transmission of the SARS – CoV2 coronavirus through contact with products / packages imported from an infected area, nor have cases been reported related to such transmission.

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or with an alcoholic solution and avoid hand-to-face contact (eyes, nose, mouth).
• Cover the cough or sneeze with a paper towel which we discard immediately in the trash. If this is not available, cover with the inside of the elbow.
• If we experience mild symptoms of a respiratory infection (cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat) we remain at home in isolation.
• In case of worsening of the symptoms or if we belong to a vulnerable group (elderly people, people of any age with chronic underlying diseases eg diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases, hypertension), we contact the treating physician immediately for medical evaluation.
• If we take medication, we follow the instructions of the treating physicians.
• We do not encounter people who show symptoms of a respiratory infection (cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat).
• We avoid synchronization spaces, social events, home visits and staying in open spaces in synchronization conditions.
• We avoid all unnecessary travel both inside and outside the country.
• We do not go to a doctor or health unit in case of mild symptoms of a respiratory infection (cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat).
• We strictly avoid visits to hospitalized patients.
• We strictly avoid contact with people who belong to a vulnerable group. If this is not possible, strictly follow all personal hygiene measures (very good and thorough hand washing, use of a mask or keeping a distance of at least 2 meters).

With the data so far the virus can cause mild flu-like symptoms such as:

• fever
• cough
• breathing difficulty
• myalgias
• payment

In severe cases, severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis and septic shock, and death may occur. People who are at high risk (eg, the elderly, heart patients, people with diabetes, liver disease or lung disease) are more likely to have a serious illness.

If you experience symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing and stay home and contact your personal doctor immediately.

Laboratory tests for new Covid-19 coronavirus infection include:

• Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Illness in need of hospitalization or hospitalization
• Hospitalized or hospitalized in the elderly or chronically ill who present with acute respiratory infection with fever and cough or dyspnea.
• Health care personnel with acute respiratory infection with fever.
• The elderly (> 70 years) or people with a severe chronic underlying disease (eg chronic lung disease, chronic cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, severe immunosuppression) who present with acute respiratory infection with fever and cough or shortness of breath.

When the laboratory test for new Covid-19 coronavirus infection is negative, it means that this virus is not detected in the sample. This can happen in the early stages of the disease. In the symptomatic phase and as the disease progresses the laboratory test can be positive. In the case of a patient with symptoms consistent with a new coronavirus infection Covid-19, who has undergone a laboratory test and is negative, the disease is attributed to another cause than Covid-19.

There is no specific treatment for the disease. Treatment is symptomatic with the aim of relieving the symptoms. (eg fever, difficulty breathing). The international literature on the use of antivirals against the new virus is very limited and comes almost exclusively from China. In vitro and in vivo studies indicate the potential therapeutic activity of some coronavirus-like drugs similar to the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. However, at present, there is insufficient evidence from randomized clinical trials in humans using a control group to support the administration of any drug to patients with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection.

However, at present, there is insufficient evidence from randomized clinical trials in humans using a control group to support the administration of any drug to patients with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection. According to the 6th edition of the Guidelines of the National Health Commission of China, the following antivirals are recommended for the empirical treatment of COVID-19: interferon α (IFN-α) in the form of inhalations, lopinavir / ritonavir, chloroquine phosphate, ribafolirin ( broad-spectrum antiviral).

There is currently no vaccine available for COVID-19, so early diagnosis and implementation of measures to prevent the spread of the disease is very important. Several pharmaceutical companies are working on a vaccine, but it looks like it will take some time to complete.

The flu vaccine does not protect against COVID-19. However, as we go through a seasonal flu outbreak, the flu vaccine is the best way to prevent seasonal flu.