THE CORONAVIRUS

1. WHAT IS THE NEW CORONAVIRUS?

Coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) disease is a highly contagious respiratory condition that can
spread from person to person. The virus that causes Covid-19 is a new coronavirus that was very
recently identified during investigations into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

2. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19?

•Fever

•Dry cough

• Shortness of breath

• tiredness

•Headache

• discomfort

3. HOW IS THE NEW CORONAVIRUS SPREAD?

Transmission appears to be through close contact with respiratory secretions generated by a

sick person's cough or sneeze. Its contagiousness depends on the amount of the virus in the airways.
These secretions would infect another person if they come in contact with their nose, eyes, or
mouth. Transmission by air over distances greater than one or two meters seems unlikely. With
current knowledge, people without symptoms do not transmit the disease.

4. IS THERE A TREATMENT FOR COVID-19?

There is no specific treatment, but some antivirals are being used that have shown some
efficacy in recent studies. Yes, there are many treatments to control your symptoms, so healthcare
improves the prognosis.

Being an infection caused by viruses, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention
or treatment.

5. WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT MYSELF?

Generic individual protection measures against respiratory diseases include:

- Frequent hand hygiene (washing with soap and water or alcoholic solutions), especially after direct
contact with sick people or their environment.

- When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with your elbow flexed.
- Use disposable tissues, and throw them away after use.

- If respiratory symptoms occur, avoid close contact (keeping a distance of approximately one meter)
with other people.

- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, as the hands facilitate transmission.

6. SHOULD I USE MASKS TO PROTECT MYSELF?

The healthy general population does not need to wear masks. Masks help prevent
transmission of the virus if worn by people who are sick.

Health professionals will indicate the use of masks in those situations where it is considered
necessary in each case.

An inadequate use of masks can contribute to a shortage of them in those situations for
which they are indicated.

7. WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO IF I HAVE SYMPTOMS?

People who present respiratory symptoms (fever, cough and feeling of shortness of breath)
and have recently been (in the previous 14 days) in a risk area or have had close contact with a
person who is a confirmed case, should stay in your address and contact health services by phone by
calling your Community's enabled phone.