General Information
What is Coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are viruses which cause respiratory symptoms ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). They are a family of viruses which are present both in humans and in animals.
They are spread from one person to another through:
- Coughing and sneezing (via droplets)
- Hands which have become contaminated with the virus after touching contaminated surfaces or
- Through direct contact with a person infected with the coronavirus (such as caring for a sick person)
What are the symptoms?
From the information known to date, the common symptoms are one or more of the below:
- Fever
- Headache
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny / blocked nose
- Tiredness
- Diarrhoea or vomiting
- Sneezing
- Muscle pain
- Shortness of breath
The most common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Cough
- Sore throat
How severe is the infection?
It is generally mild, especially for children and young people, but may also result in requirement of medical care and hospitalisation. In some cases, the infection can cause severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome that can lead to death.
How is Covid-19 Coronavirus spread?
The Covid-19 infection is transmitted by people carrying the virus. The disease can be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets expelled from the nose or mouth when a person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can persist for a few hours on objects or surfaces around the person in question. An infection with Covid-19 can occur if you touch these objects or surfaces and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Covid-19 can also be contracted by inhaling droplets from a sick person who has just coughed or sneezed. Therefore, it is important to keep a distance of more than two metres from a sick person and to respect basic hygiene measures.
How do I protect myself and others from Coronavirus?
- GET VACCINATED
- AVOID going to crowded places and maintain a distance of 2 metres from others
- CLEAN: Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and if not available, use alcohol-based hand disinfectant
- When meeting inside, keep the windows open to ensure ADEQUATE VENTILATION
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or inner side of flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing
- DO NOT sneeze or cough into your hands as you may contaminate objects or people that you touch
- Dispose of used tissues immediately in lined and closed bins; DO NOT leave tissues running around
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth before washing your hands
- Keep a minimum of two metre distance when talking to someone who is sick
- Avoid all handshakes
- If you are sick (with any illness) STAY AT HOME, even if your symptoms are mild
What should I do if I have symptoms?
If you have symptoms of respiratory illness like cough, contact your GP or Health Centre. If you have severe symptoms such as severe shortness of breath, call 112 immediately.
If your symptoms get worse, please call your family doctor or Primary Care on 21222444. In the event of a positive swab result, where the virus responsible for Covid-19 is detected, the person will receive an email indicating a positive result.
Covid-19 Vaccines:
• Currently two brands of Covid-19 vaccines are provided: Pfizer/BioNTech (Comirnaty) and Moderna (Spikevax)
• Vaccination is available for individuals aged 6 months or older.
• To book an appointment - call the Primary HealthCare Client Support Centre on 21 231 231 or 21 222 444 and ask for an appointment. Please remember to bring your ID Card (or baby book for children), COVID-19 vaccination card (if available) and a face mask.
Travel to Malta
There are currently no COVID-19 travel requirements for entering Malta.