1. What Is Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)? Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a virus that has been defined on January 13, 2020 as a result of the research conducted on a group of patients who have developed respiratory symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties) in Wuhan Province of China in December 2019. The outbreak was first detected in humans near the seafood and animal products market in the region. Afterwards, it has spread from humans to humans, gradually infecting Wuhan and other cities in Hubei Province, eventually reaching across the other provinces of People’s Republic of China.
2. How Does Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Spread? The virus spreads through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a sick person coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch the virus by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. Touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
3. How Does Novel Coronavirus Infection Diagnosed? The molecular tests required to diagnose 2019 Novel Coronavirus are available in our country. The diagnosis test is exclusively conducted by the General Administration of Public Health’s National Virology Reference Laboratory.
4. Is There an Effective Drug for Preventing or Treating Novel Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19)? There is no effective treatment of the disease. Depending on the patient’s general condition, supporting treatment options are being provided. The research on finding the effects of certain drugs on the virus are currently being conducted. However, no effective drug has been found yet.
5. Are Antibiotics Effective in Preventing or Treating Novel Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19)?
No. Antibiotics do not work against viruses, they only work on bacterial infections. Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is caused by a virus, so antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment of the infection.
6. How Long Is the Incubation Period for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)? The incubation period for the virus ranges from 2-14 days.
7. What Illnesses Are Caused by Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)? Although it is reported that non-symptomatic cases are possible the rate of which is unknown. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In severe cases pneumonia, severe shortness of breath, kidney failure or death may develop.
8. Who Is at Risk of Developing Severe Illness Due to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)? According to available data, the risk of developing severe illnesses due to the virus appear to be higher in the older persons and persons with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease). Per present data, it is known that the illness is monitored as severe condition in 10-15% of the cases, and it results with death in approximately 2% of the cases.
9. Does Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Cause Sudden Deaths? According to published data regarding sick persons, the illness shows a relatively slow progress. While for the first couple of days the complaints are milder (such as fever, throat ache, or weakness), in later stages certain symptoms such as cough or difficulty in breathing are reported. Typically, the patients’ condition becomes severe enough to seek medical care 7 days after being infected. Thus, the videos shared on social media platform showing people suddenly falling, feeling sick or dying do not reflect the truth.
10. Has There Been Any Reported Case of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection in Turkey? No, as of February 7, 2020, Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) illness has not been detected in our country.
11. Which Countries Are Under Risk Besides People’s Republic of China (PRC)?
The illness is still being predominantly monitored in People’s Republic of China. The cases detected in other countries of the world are related with people who have traveled from PRC. In certain countries, the people came from PRC has infected a small number of individuals in those countries. As of now, there is no country other than PRC where local cases are spreading rapidly. The Health Ministry’s Scientific Consultation Board has issued a warning recommending that “travelers avoid all nonessential” travel to PRC. Travelers are advised to keep up with the warnings issued by national and international authorities.
12. What Is the Ministry of Health Doing About the Outbreak?
The Ministry is closely monitoring the developments around the world about the illness and its spread on the international scale. The Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Scientific Board has been created. Risk Assessment and Scientific Board Conventions have been held regarding Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection. All related parties (including, but not limited to Directorate General of Health Services for Borders and Coasts of Turkey, Directorate General of Public Hospitals, Directorate General of Emergency Health Services, Directorate General of Foreign Affairs) have been included in the process. The developments are being closely monitored and the meetings concerning the outbreak are being held on a regular basis.
Public Health Emergency Operations Centers included within the organization of the Directorate General of Public Health are being staffed with teams working 7/24. In our country, all necessary precautions have been taken in parallel with the recommendations of World Health Organization. At the entrance points such as airports and ports of our country, all necessary precautions have been taken to identify potentially sick people travelling from risky regions, and the action plans to follow in case of any doubt have been laid out. Direct flights from/to PRC have been cancelled until March 1. As of February 05, 2020, the scope of the thermal camera examinations, which were specifically performed on travelers entering from PRC at first, have been extended to include other travelers as well. A guidebook has been prepared to compile the information on the diagnosis process, procedures to follow in probable cases, protection and control measures regarding the illness. The administration algorithms have been written to deal with identified cases. The tasks and responsibilities of the related parties have been defined. The guidebook also contains to-do lists oriented at persons travelling from/to the countries where cases have been reported. The guidebook, the presentations about the guidebook, frequently asked questions (FAQ), posters and brochures are all available on Directorate General of Public Health’s official website. Additionally, the healthcare professionals take respiratory tract samples from those who fit the probable case description. The probable cases are being isolated under health facility conditions until their samples are duly researched.
13- Is Performing Thermal Screenings at the Entrance Points an Adequate Measure? Thermal cameras are being used to identify and distinguish people with fever among others to conduct advanced examinations to determine whether they carry the disease. Obviously, it is not possible to identify the infected persons who do not have fever at that moment or who have yet to show symptoms despite having caught the virus, i.e. the incubation period. However, since no other method that is much faster and much more effective has been found to use for screening purposes, all countries are using thermal cameras. In addition to thermal cameras, the travelers from risky regions are being informed during their flights in different languages. And finally, informative brochures prepared in various languages are being handed over at the passport checkpoints.
14. Is There a Vaccine for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)? Not yet. Despite the advancements in technology, it is being reported that developing a safe vaccine for human use may take at least a year.
15. What are the Ministry’s Recommendation for Avoiding the Disease?
The recommended fundamental principles to reduce the general contagion risk of acute respiratory tract infections apply to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) as well. These are stated below. Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. You don’t have to use
antiseptic or antibacterial soap, the normal soap is adequate.
Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands first.
Avoid contact with sick people (keep distance 1 m, if appropriate).
Wash your hands often especially after having direct contact with sick people or their surrounding environments.As of now, healthy individuals are not required to wear masks in our country. People with any viral respiratory tract infection are advised to cover their nose and mouth with a disposable tissue before coughing or sneezing. If tissues are not readily available, use your sleeve. Avoid crowded areas, if possible. If you can’t avoid crowded areas cover your mouth and nose or wear a medical mask, if available.
16. What Should Travelers having to Visit Risky Areas such as People’s Republic of China Do to Avoid the Disease?
The recommended fundamental principles to reduce the general contagion risk of acute respiratory tract infections apply to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) as well. These are stated below.
Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. You don’t have to use antiseptic or antibacterial soap; the normal soap is fine.
Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands first.
Avoid contact with sick people (keep distance 1 m, if appropriate).
Wash your hands often especially after having direct contact with sick people or their surrounding environments.
Avoid visiting medical centers considering the sickness intensity.
If you must visit a medical center, minimize contact with other patients.
Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue before coughing or sneezing.
If tissues are not readily available, use your sleeve. Avoid crowded areas, if possible.
If you can’t avoid crowded areas cover your mouth and nose or wear a medical mask, if available.
Avoid raw or uncooked animal products.
Choose well-cooked meals.
Avoid all high-risk areas such as farms, livestock markets and areas where animals may be slaughtered. If you have any respiratory symptom within 14 days after your return, immediately apply the closest medical institution while wearing a mask and inform your healthcare provider on your travel history.
17. What Should Travelers Visiting Other Countries Do to Avoid the Disease?
The recommended fundamental principles to reduce the general contagion risk of acute respiratory tract infections apply to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) as well. These are stated below.
Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. You don’t have to use antiseptic or antibacterial soap; the normal soap is fine.
Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands first.
Avoid contact with sick people (keep distance 1 m, if appropriate).
Wash your hands often especially after having direct contact with sick people or their surrounding environments.
Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue before coughing or sneezing.
If tissues are not readily available, use your sleeve.
Avoid crowded areas, if possible.
Avoid raw or uncooked animal products.
Choose well-cooked meals. Avoid all high-risk areas such as farms, livestock markets and areas where animals may be slaughtered.
18- Am I at risk for COVID-19 from a package or products shipping from People’s Republic of China? In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, the risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period is very low.
19. Is there a risk for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease in Turkey? The disease has still not been reported in our country. There is a possibility that the disease may be detected in our country, similar to several countries of the World.
20. Is there any restriction on travel to China? On February 05, 2020, all flights from China has been cancelled until March 2020. The Ministry of Health’s Scientific Consultation Board recommends travelers “avoid all non-essential travel to People’s Republic of China.” Travelers are advised to follow warnings of national and international authorities.
21. How to Clean Tourism Vehicles? It is recommended these types of vehicles are frequently ventilated and their standard general cleaning is done with water and detergent. It is recommended that the standard general cleaning for these types of vehicles are done after each tour.
22. What Are the Ministry’s Recommendations on Travelling via Tourism Vehicles?
Ensure that vehicles are frequently ventilated with fresh air during each trip. In ventilation, opt for an air conditioner which uses fresh air. Avoid recycling the air contained in such vehicles.
23. Are the employees in accommodation and hospitality sector under the risk of catching the disease?
Because these viruses cannot live on surfaces, it is not expected that the accommodation and hospitality sector employees, who regularly handle personal items of their guests, are under threat, regardless of the guests’ medical status. However, as general principle, wash your hands with water and soap or clean your hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizers immediately after handling stuff. Moreover, the Ministry recommends that if you host a group of people travelling from risky areas make sure that all your guests who have fever, sneeze, cough, etc. should wear medical mask, including the driver. Call 112 to report the potential cases or ensure that the potentially sick people apply to a medical institution by notifying institution in advance.
24. What Are the Ministry’s Recommendations for Hotels? Standard cleaning with water and detergent is adequate for hotels and similar accommodation
establishments. Specifically, easy-to-reach surfaces, such as doorknobs, batteries, handrails, toilets and sinks should be cleaned diligently. There is no scientific evidence for certain products claimed to be effective against this disease.
Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. You don’t have to use antiseptic or antibacterial soap; the normal soap is fine.
People with any viral respiratory tract infection are advised to cover their nose and mouth with a disposable tissue before coughing or sneezing. If tissues are not readily available, use your sleeve. Avoid crowded areas, if possible. If you can’t avoid crowded areas cover your mouth and nose or wear a medical mask, if available. Because these viruses cannot live on surfaces, it is not expected that the employees, who regularly handle personal items of their guests, are under threat. It is appropriate to place alcohol-based hand sanitizers on east-to-reach surfaces.
25. What Are the Ministry’s Recommendations for Airport Employees?
Observe general precautions to avoid infection.
Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. You don’t have to use antiseptic or antibacterial soap; the normal soap is fine.
People with any viral respiratory tract infection are advised to cover their nose and mouth with a disposable tissue before coughing or sneezing. If tissues are not readily available, use your sleeve. Avoid crowded areas, if possible. If you can’t avoid crowded areas cover your mouth and nose or wear a medical mask, if available. Because these viruses cannot live on surfaces, it is not expected that the employees, who regularly handle personal items of their guests, are under threat. It is appropriate to place alcohol-based hand sanitizers on east-to-reach surfaces.
26. What Are the Ministry’s Recommendations for Shopkeepers/Employees Working in Restaurants or Stores Frequently Serving for Tourists?
Observe general precautions to avoid infection.
Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. You don’t have to use antiseptic or antibacterial soap; the normal soap is fine.
Standard cleaning with water and detergent is adequate for surfaces. Specifically, easy-to-reach surfaces, such as doorknobs, batteries, handrails, toilets and sinks should be cleaned diligently. There is no scientific evidence for certain products claimed to be effective against this disease. It is appropriate to place alcohol-based hand sanitizers on east-to-reach surfaces.
27. What Are the General Precautions to Avoid Infection?
Keep your hands clean. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. You don’t have to use antiseptic or antibacterial soap; the normal soap is fine.
Cover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue before coughing or sneezing.
If tissues are not readily available, use your sleeve. Avoid crowded areas, if possible.
28. My children go to school, can they catch Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)? Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection outbreak started in China; no case has been reported in our country. All necessary precautions to provide protection against the disease has been taken. Your children may encounter with viruses causing flu, sniffles or common cold, but it is not expected they encounter with Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), since it is not in circulation at the moment. The Ministry of Health has duly informed all schools with respect to the outbreak.
29. How Should Schools Be Cleaned? Standard cleaning with water and detergent is adequate for schools. Specifically, easy-to-reach surfaces, such as doorknobs, batteries, handrails, toilets and sinks should be cleaned diligently. There is no scientific evidence for certain products claimed to be effective against this disease.
30. I am returning to university after winter break. I stay in a dormitory, can I catch Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection outbreak started in China; no case has been reported in our country. All necessary precautions to provide protection against the disease has been taken.
You may encounter with viruses causing flu, sniffles or common cold, but it is not expected you encounter with Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), since it is not in circulation at the moment. The Ministry of Health has duly informed Higher Education Board, Higher Education Student Loans and Dormitories Institution and private dormitories with respect to the outbreak.
31. Can pets carry or spread Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)? It is not expected pets can be infected with COVID-19. However, since animals can spread other diseases to people, it’s always a good idea to wash your hands after being around animals. Thus, it is possible to avoid other infections that may be caught from animals.
32. Can Washing Your Nose with Salt Water Prevent Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection? No. Regularly washing your nose with salt water has no proven benefit for protection against Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection.
33. Can Using Vinegar Prevent Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection? No. Using vinegar has no proven benefit for protection against Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection.