The Coronavirus (COVID-19)

What is it?

The Coronavirus is a new illness, caused by infection with a virus that affects your airways. As it is such a new illness, it is not entirely clear how it spreads from person to person. However, it is thought to spread in a similar manner to the way the Influenza virus spreads – through cough/sneeze droplets in the air.

The name Coronavirus comes from the Latin word, ‘Corona’ meaning crown. It is named after this as the spikey projections from the surface of the viral particle resemble the prongs of a crown.

COVID-19 stands for:

CO (Corona)

VI (Virus)

D (Disease)

19 (2019, when the first cases were reported)

The main symptoms of Coronavirus are:

• a cough
• a high temperature
• shortness of breath

Where it is present currently/high risk areas

• China
• Thailand
• Japan
• Republic of Korea
• Hong Kong
• Taiwan
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Macau

TOP TIPS – IF YOU HAVE TRAVELLED TO A HIGH RISK AREA BUT ARE EXPERIENCING NO SYMPTOMS

1. Home quarantine for the 14 days after your travels.
2. It is important to notify your Local Public Health department of your travels, for more information see https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/75d92-covid-19-travel-advice/
3. It is safe to come into contact with other people for short space of time i.e. home delivery of food/family members bringing supplies etc.
4. Avoid public transport. Do not go to work/school and avoid public areas.

The above only applies if you HAVE NO SYMPTOMS.

If YOU HAVE TRAVELLED to any of the above areas recently and you are SHOWING SYMPTOMS of the Coronavirus – contact your Doctor immediately via PHONE. Do NOT go into your Doctors surgery or hospital, give them a call for more information on how to go forward.

Thank you for reading.