Virus

               

For further information see Health Service Executive at https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus.html

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new respiratory illness.  

It has not previously been seen in humans.                                                   

This type of coronavirus is also known as SARS-CoV-2. 

It was previously known as 2019-nCov or novel coronavirus.                                                                                                                                          

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                                                                                                              

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. Clean the surface first and then use a disinfectant.

Packages from affected countries: 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 a country or region with a spread of coronavirus

Wash your hands:

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

Don’t

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

You should use a face mask 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

Self-isolate – when you may need to. You only need to isolate yourself from other people if you have symptoms of coronavirus and have in the last 14 days been:

• to a country or region with a current spread of coronavirus
• in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus
• in a healthcare centre or hospital where patients with coronavirus were being treated