CORONAVIRUS_COVID19

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new respiratory illness. It has not previously been seen in humans.

This type of coronavirus is also known as 2019-nCov or novel coronavirus.

Symptoms

It can take up to 14 days for the symptoms of coronavirus to appear.

These symptoms may include:

• a cough
• shortness of breath
• breathing difficulties
• fever (high temperature)

Coronavirus can also cause more severe illness including:

• pneumonia
• severe acute respiratory syndrome
• kidney failure

Risk of catching coronavirus

There has been no confirmed case of coronavirus in Ireland.

The risk of getting coronavirus in Ireland is low.

If there is a case here, health professionals will try to contact anyone who has been in contact with the infected person.

If you are not contacted, you are extremely unlikely to catch coronavirus.

You do not need to follow any advice in relation to coronavirus if you have:

• not been to mainland China
• not been in contact with a person who has coronavirus
• not been to a healthcare facility where patients with coronavirus were treated
• recently returned from Hong Kong or Macau and have not travelled through mainland China

When you may need a test

You will only need to be tested for coronavirus if you have symptoms and have in the last 14 days been:

• in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus
• to mainland China – this does not include Hong Kong or Macau
• in a healthcare centre or hospital where patients with coronavirus were being treated

If your doctor thinks that you need a test for coronavirus, they will tell you where the test will be done. They will also tell you when to expect your results.

When you may need to isolate yourself

You only need to isolate yourself from other people if you have symptoms of coronavirus and have in the last 14 days been:

• in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus
• to mainland China – this does not include Hong Kong or Macau
• in a healthcare centre or hospital where patients with coronavirus were being treated

How coronavirus is spread

Coronavirus is spread in sneeze or cough droplets.

You could get the virus if you:

• come into close contact with someone who has the virus and is coughing or sneezing
• touch surfaces that someone who has the virus has coughed or sneezed on

Because it’s a new illness, we do not know how easily the virus spreads from person to person. We do not know if someone can spread the virus before they show symptoms.

The virus may only survive a few hours if someone who has it coughs or sneezes on a surface. Simple household disinfectants can kill the virus on surfaces.

Packages from China

You cannot get coronavirus from packages or food that has come from China or elsewhere.

There is no evidence that animals or animal products legally imported into the EU are a health risk due to coronavirus.

Protect yourself

Do

• wash your hands properly and regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough and sneeze
• put used tissues into a bin and wash your hands
• follow the travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs if travelling to China

Don’t

• do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

The flu vaccine does not protect against coronavirus.

Wash your hands:

• after coughing or sneezing
• after toilet use
• before eating
• before and after preparing food
• if you are in contact with a sick person, especially those with respiratory symptoms
• if your hands are dirty
• if you have handled animals or animal waste

Facemasks

Don’t:

• do not use a face mask if you feel well and do not have symptoms – there’s no evidence that using masks is of any benefit if you are not sick

Do:

• wash your hands properly and regularly
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough and sneeze

You should use a facemask if you:

• have or may have coronavirus
• are in close contact with someone who has or may have coronavirus
• are a healthcare worker in close contact with people who may have or have coronavirus

Treatment 

There is no specific treatment for coronavirus. But many of the symptoms of the virus can be treated.

If you get the virus, your healthcare professional will advise treatment based on your symptoms.

Antibiotics do not work against coronavirus or any viruses. They only work against bacterial infections.

Vaccine

There is currently no vaccine to treat or protect against coronavirus.

At-risk groups

We do not know for sure which groups are most at risk of complications if they catch coronavirus.

But it is likely you are more at risk if you catch coronavirus and:

• are 65 years of age and over
• have a long-term medical condition – for example, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes or liver disease

Children and coronavirus

The risk of your child catching coronavirus at school or in childcare is low.

If your child has recently travelled to mainland China, follow the guidance above.

Encourage your child to wash their hands regularly and properly.

Pets

There is no evidence that pets such as cats and dogs cannot catch or spread coronavirus.

Avoid all non-essential travel to China

Don’t:

• do not travel to China unless it is essential that you go
• do not visit animal or bird markets in China
• do not go to places in China where live or dead animals are handled
• do not visit anyone in China who is ill with cold or flu-like symptoms such as sneezing or coughing
• do not touch animals and their poo (droppings) in China

Wash your hands properly and regularly with soap and water.

Ref: HSE 202