The rapid evolution of Covid-19 disease to geographic areas outside China led the health authorities to issue new orientations . Read the following information attentively to learn how to act and protect yourself . What is the new coronavirus? The 2019-nCoV Coronavirus (presently designated SARS-CoV-2) is a new variant of the coronaviruses family , initially detected at the end of 2019, in patients associated with a fish market in the city of Wuhan (Hubei Province, China). It results from a mutation apparently originating in animals and subsequently transmitted to humans, not being known for sure how that happened. The SARS-CoV-2 is similar to other coronaviruses, such as SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, identified in China) and MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, identified in Saudi Arabia and other Middle East countries). How is it transmitted? It is not yet known how the virus was transmitted to humans. However, we do know that the transmission between humans is made through: droplets associated with coughing and expectoration; as well as through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Transmission occurs between individuals even before the onset of the disease. There is also the possibility of transmission by aerosol (airborne particles of very small dimension), essentially at the time of particular procedures in health units. How does the disease manifest itself? The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 is designated COVID-19 (Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019) and its symptomatology is essentially respiratory, similar to flu syndrome, consisting in fever, coughing, expectoration and respiratory difficulty . Not all symptoms are simultaneously present. The disease is more severe in older people, people with chronic diseases or under medication suppressing immune defenses. How can you protect yourself? The main preventive measure is not to travel to those areas with active infection – updated information can be consulted in European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control site. To the present date, those areas are: all of China; South Korea; Japan; Singapore; Iran; and the Italian regions of Emilia-Romagna, Lombardia, Piemonte and Veneto. Therefore, avoidable travelling to those regions is strongly advised against . If absolutely necessary, the use of face mask is recommended in the presence of people with respiratory symptoms or in enclosed spaces, also being recommended frequent hand washing with water and soap or with alcohol-based solutions , after contact with surfaces or objects of common use. Given the rapid evolution of the situation, covering increasingly larger areas and involving more restrictions to mobility, travels abroad not necessary are globally not recommended. Health professionals must strictly comply with the instructions provided locally and nationwide. How to proceed when returning from an infected area? In the following 14 days, it is recommended to: Avoid physical contact with other people; Avoid enclosed and highly frequented spaces; Be alert to signs of fever, coughing or respiratory difficulty. Measure the body temperature twice a day and register the values. Check if any of the persons living closer to you develops any of those symptoms; Wash your hands frequently with water and soap, rubbing them for at least 20 seconds. Alternatively, use an alcohol-based solution; Use paper tissues (of single-use) to wipe your nose, throw the used paper tissues in a garbage bin and wash your hands subsequently; Cough or sneeze to your arm with the elbow flexed, and not to your hands; Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth with dirty hands or contaminated with respiratory secretions. When returning from an infected area and presenting respiratory complaints , before going to a health service or to your workplace, contact 808 24 24 24 (Emergency Line SNS24) and follow the instructions provided. You should put on a face mask in all your movements involving contact with other people. Even when not presenting symptoms after returning from an infected area, keep wearing a face mask , whenever in contact with other people, namely in public spaces, in order to reduce the possibility of transmission of the infection. Do not resort to hospitals just to undertake confirmatory tests of infection by coronavirus, since these are only made by indication of the National Health Directorate-General when dully justified, which entails the transfer of the patient to a reference hospital. Follow these recommendations and be aware of every updating that are being made by the official entities.
