What is Covid-19?

Frequently asked questions about the Coronavirus: Covid-19

The information below is provided by the Basque Government Health Department website.

What is Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses found in both animals and humans. Some infect humans and are known to cause a variety of conditions, from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

How is this virus spread?

Although not precisely known, by analogy with other infections caused by similar viruses, it appears that transmission would be through contact with infected animals or by close contact with respiratory secretions generated by the sick person's cough and sneeze. Those secretions would infect another person if they came into contact with their nose, eyes or mouth.

What can I do to protect myself?

• Wash your hands often.
• Cover your nose and mouth with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue away immediately and wash your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water.
• Keep a distance of at least one meter from people who are coughing, sneezing or have a fever.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• It increases the cleaning of surfaces that are in contact with hands in the home and in public places.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptoms include cough, sore throat, fever and shortness of breath. There may be some cases of greater severity, rarely the disease can cause pneumonia, in these cases the patient has significant difficulty breathing and feeling short of breath, with a sustained high fever. In severe patients who do not respond to treatment, and especially if they have a previous associated illness, they may suffer more serious complications and may even die. The most severe cases usually occur in the elderly or those with other diseases such as heart, lung or immunity problems.

What should I do if I have symptoms?

If you have travelled to a risk zone, do not go to the health centre, stay at home, call 900 20 30 50 and stay away from other people, at least 2 metres.

If you have not travelled to a risk zone, avoid attending collective events in closed areas or visiting institutions such as social health centres.

How do I know if I'm a suspicious case?

As of today, the recommendation is as follows: if you have travelled to an area of disease transmission and have respiratory symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat or difficulty in breathing, you should stay home and call the Health Council (900 20 30 50).

How long does the virus survive on a surface?

It is uncertain how long the virus causing Covid-19 survives on a surface, but it seems to behave like other coronaviruses. Studies (including preliminary information available on Covid-19 virus) indicate that coronaviruses can survive on a surface from a few hours to several days. Time may vary depending on conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).

If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with a common disinfectant to kill the virus and thus protect yourself and others. Wash your hands with an alcohol-based disinfectant or soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.

You can access more questions about Covid-19 on the Basque Government Health Department website.