Informationen zum neuartigen Coronavirus

The Federal Ministry of Health, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) publish current information and advice on the novel coronavirus.

Respiratory illnesses caused by the novel coronavirus were first detected in the Chinese metropolis of Wuhan (Hubei Province) in early December 2019. The virus can be transmitted from person to person.

Coronaviruses in general usually cause mild courses of disease, but can also lead to severe, possibly fatal courses. The novel coronavirus can lead to a severe infection of the lower respiratory tract and to pneumonia in some of the infected persons. So far, deaths have mainly occurred in patients who had already suffered from severe underlying diseases.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) estimates the overall risk of spread in Germany as high (as of 24.3.2020). The RKI publishes current case numbers, affected countries and information on risk areas.

Behaviour in case of suspected infection

A warning and information system has been set up for travellers arriving by plane from a risk area.

If you are returning from a risk area or have had contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case and develop symptoms such as fever or respiratory problems within 14 days, the RKI recommends contacting a doctor (phone call) and coordinating your visit or dialling 116117.

Doctors and laboratories must report suspected illness with the novel coronavirus to the public health department. The public health department

• can implement further measures to protect against infection,
• reports information about the case to the state authorities. Name, address and other personal data are not transmitted. The RKI evaluates all information on the novel coronavirus centrally.

General protection against infections

The RKI and the BZgA refer to the usual general rules of conduct for protection against infectious diseases:

• Wash hands regularly and thoroughly.
• observe etiquette when coughing and sneezing
• Keep your distance from people who are ill.

These also serve to protect against influenza, for example.

In the case of acute respiratory infections, it can be useful for an ill person to wear a mouth-nose protection. This can reduce the risk of infecting other people through droplets that are produced when coughing or sneezing (external protection).

Information for travellers

The Federal Foreign Office publishes health recommendations for travel abroad as required. Current information can be obtained from the travel and safety advice of the Federal Foreign Office.

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• Information offers on the novel coronavirus Information provision
• Respiratory infections caused by novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2):
  • common coronaviruses: mostly mild colds, but also severe diseases
  • Novel coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2): severe lower respiratory tract infection or pneumonia possible in addition to mild courses.
• Spread
  • first infections detected in early December 2019 in the Chinese province of Hubei and the provincial capital of Wuhan, respectively
  • transmissible from person to person
  • deaths mainly in patients already suffering from severe underlying diseases
  • high risk of spread in Germany according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) (as of 24.3.2020).
  • RKI publishes current figures and risk areas
• Behaviour in case of suspected infection, recommendations of the RKI:
  • after stay in risk areas or
  • after contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case and
  • Signs of illness such as fever, respiratory problems, usually within 14 days of infection:
    • Contact your family doctor (call) or 116117 (medical on-call service) and describe your suspicion.
    • arrange a visit to the doctor
    • dial 112 only in case of life-threatening emergency, serious health disorders and accidents
  • doctors and laboratories are obliged to report to the public health department (without personal data of sick persons)
• Behavioural rules for prevention:
  • Observe usual rules of conduct for protection against infection, e.g. also for protection against influenza:
    • Wash hands regularly and thoroughly
    • observe etiquette when coughing and sneezing
    • Keep your distance from infected persons
• Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) provides information on protection against infections and frequently asked questions about the new coronavirus (infektionsschutz.de)
• Travel advice
  • Observe current travel advice from the Federal Foreign Office if you are planning to travel to risk areas
• responsible: RKI (including recording the situation, risk assessment, recommendations on measures, informing the specialist public).

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