COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the latest type of coronavirus which appeared for the first time in Wu-chan, China in December 2019. You can find out more about the outbreak at the website of the World Health Organization, here.
World Health Organization (WHO) declared on 30 January 2020 emergency of International Interest in Public Health (International Concern, PHEIC) in connection with an epidemic of a new coronavirus publicly known as COVID-19. The virus poses significant health risks, it is recommended to follow guidelines suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO), travel recommendations and health warnings in connection with COVID-19.
What is coronavirus
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large group of viruses that cause disease of animals and humans and can cause problems such as common cold, cough, respiratory problems, temperatures, but also more serious health problems, such as respiratory illness called severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) or MERS infection.
A new type of coronavirus, known as the "new coronavirus" or nCov (or possibly Wu-chan coronavirus), appeared first in early December 2019 in the Chinese province Chu-pei, with 11 million residents.
Coronavirus - symptom, transmission, risk, and comparison with the flu
Coronavirus is transmitted from person to person after close contact with an infected person for extended periods of time. It spreads the so-called droplet infection, which is transmitted by air. Most often it affects the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract. Similarly, influenza is transmitted via droplet infection. While the flu incubation period is relatively short, from a few hours to 5 days, usually 1-2 days, in the case of coronavirus, the incubation period is a week up to 14 days.
After a week of infection, the disease manifests itself as a continuous fever. Possible are also a pain in the joints and muscles, and symptoms of cough will occur soon. The symptoms include fever, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. The risk of infection depends on where you live or where you have recently traveled. A higher probability of transmission is in areas where COVID-19 has been diagnosed in a larger number of people. Generally, seniors, children, chronically ill and immunocompromised individuals are more at risk.
Every winter we use to notice an increased incidence of influenza. Unfortunately, only according to the symptoms of the disease it is not possible to distinguish whether the clinical problems are caused by a new coronavirus or influenza virus since the symptoms are very similar. Therefore, it is currently very important to know whether the patient has arrived in the last 14 days from the area of infection with new coronavirus or has been in close contact with a person infected by a coronavirus.
Statistical data
A flu epidemic was declared in the Czech Republic at the end of January 2020. Currently, there are 1 601 patients per 100 000 inhabitants. The number of people suffering from flu has decreased recently, however, the flu epidemic continues throughout the Czech Republic. It is mainly an influenza A virus. Influenza occurs worldwide, with approximately 10 to 15 percent of the population get ill every year. It typically occurs in epidemics, usually in the cold season of the year. In Europe, it usually starts at the beginning of the calendar year and usually lasts from 4 up to 8 weeks.
About 80% of those infected by coronavirus recover without any need for special treatment. At approximately 1 people in 6 have more serious problems. A higher risk of serious problems have older people with health problems like high blood pressure, heart diseases, diabetes, ... Approximately 2% of those infected with COVID-19 died.
Coronavirus (online) in the Czech Republic / Hungary / Austria and other countries
For up-to-date information on COVID-2019 you can visit the following websites:
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- Czech Republic - Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic
- Slovakia - Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic
- Poland - Ministerstwo Zdrowia
- Austria - Bundesministerium für Soziales, Gesundheit, Pflege und Konsumentenschutz
- Hungary - Konzuli tájékoztatás
The areas affected by the new coronavirus, the numbers of infected people and the number of deaths can be monitored continuously on this interactive map.
Coronavirus and vacation
Aviation and road restrictions may be related to the spread of disease in Europe. Also rail transport within and between European countries. Some countries have partially closed the borders, and restrict the entry of foreigners. Preventive measures are being introduced in many countries, in the form of health checks and temperature measurement, whereby passengers with symptoms may go to quarantine.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic in connection with the spread of the virus does not recommend citizens of the Czech Republic to travel to the region of Lombardy and Venice. For example, traveling to Iran is recommended only if necessary. Further information and recommendations can be found on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic. Travelers are advised to follow the websites of the relevant Czech embassy and local media.
Article about Coronavirus is also available in Czech, German and Hungarian language.
