Novel Coronavirus

Situation update for Malta: 3 cases; 0 deaths (7 March 2020, 7.00pm). For details on the worldwide situation, please visit the website of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

Information and advice

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,
cough,
shortness of breath.

How severe is the infection?

It is generally mild, but it can cause severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome that can lead to death.

How long does it take for symptoms to develop?

The incubation period, time between contamination and the appearance of the first symptoms can take between 2 to 14 days.

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. This is why it is important to keep a distance of more than two meters from a sick person and to respect basic hygiene measures.

Is there treatment or a vaccine?

No specific treatment exists. Treatment given by a medical doctor is to control the symptoms.

There are currently no vaccines against coronaviruses, including 2019-nCoV. Therefore, it is very important to prevent infection or contain further spread of an infection.

Advice for travellers

TRAVEL IN HIGH-RISK AREAS

Avoid non-essential travel to the following areas:

- Northern part of Italy: Lombardia, Piemonte, Veneto and Emilia Romagna

- China (including Hong Kong)

- Singapore

- Japan

- Iran

- South Korea

People entering Malta from these areas are asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.

If you are in a high-risk area:

Avoid contact with sick people, those with respiratory diseases.
Avoid visiting markets and places where live or dead animals are handled.
Wash your hands with soap and water OR use an alcohol-based disinfectant before eating, after using the toilet and after any contact with animals.
Avoid contact with animals, their excretions or droppings.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth before washing your hands.
Keep a one metre distance when talking to someone who is sick.

If you enter Malta after having been in a high risk area:

Self-quarantine for 14 days and self-monitor for symptoms. Measure your temperature at least twice a day.

If you develop fever, cough, or shortness of breath during the 14 days since arrival in Malta:

- Remain in your place of quarantine

- Phone the Public Health Helpline on 111 or (+356) 21324086 for advice.

- Do not go to private clinics, emergency department, health centres or other healthcare facilities.

TRAVEL IN COUNTRIES WITH ONGOING TRANSMISSION

In the following countries there is ongoing local transmission of the Novel Coronavirus:

Europe	Italy, France, Germany, Spain, The United Kingdom, Norway, Croatia, Netherlands, San Marino, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Greece, Denmark, Monaco.
Western Pacific	China (incl. Hong Kong), South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam.
South-East Asia	Thailand, Indonesia
Eastern Mediterranean	Iran, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Lebanon
Americas	Canada, USA, Ecuador
Africa	Algeria

(List subject to change at any time.)

If you have fever, cough, or shortness of breath on your return to Malta from the above countries:

- Phone the Public Health Helpline on 111 or (+356) 21324086 for advice.

- Do not go to private clinics, emergency department, health centres or other healthcare facilities.

Advice for the general public

How do I protect myself?

To protect yourself and others from infection practice good hand and respiratory hygiene:

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and if not available, use alcohol-based hand disinfectant.
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 bins; DO NOT leave tissues running around.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth before washing your hands.
Keep a one metre distance when talking to someone who is sick.

Should I wear facemasks?

In Malta, there is no need to wear facemasks. Wearing a mask in a preventive manner is not recommended by the World Health Organisation as a means to avoid contamination with the COVID-19 virus. Facemasks help people, who are already infected with the virus, from spreading it others.

Can I be contaminated by receiving a package from an affected area?

People receiving packages from affected areas are not at risk of contracting the novel coronavirus. From previous analysis, we know coronaviruses do not survive long on objects such as letters or packages.

Guidance on self-quarantine

Who should self-quarantine?

Persons who have travelled to, transited through or travelled from high risk areas are requested to self-quarantine for 14 days from their arrival in Malta. They are encouraged to consider their social responsibility and the importance and seriousness of self-quarantine under the current global circumstances. The health and wellbeing of the Maltese population is our top priority.

What does self-quarantine mean?

Self-quarantine means staying in your home or hotel room, and not leaving for the 14 day period that you are required to isolate for. Only people who usually live in the household should be in the home. Do not allow visitors into the home. Those under self-quarantine should self-monitor their temperature twice daily.

Does this mean my family or other people I live with need to self-quarantine?

If someone in your home is self-quarantined, and they have maintained separation in an area of the home away from others (with their own bedroom and bathroom), the other members of the household do not need to self-quarantine.

What happens when I end my 14 days of self-quarantine?

People who have self-quarantined for 14 days without any symptoms are free to go about their usual activities. This includes returning to work, school, childcare and university.

Keeping spirits up while in self-quarantine

Being under quarantine can be frightening, particularly for young children. Suggestions include:

Talk to the other members of the family about the infection. Understanding novel coronavirus will reduce anxiety.
Reassure young children using age-appropriate language.
Keep up a normal daily routine as much as possible.
Think about how you have coped with difficult situations in the past and reassure yourself that you will cope with this situation too. Remember that quarantine won’t last for long.

Reducing boredom while in self-quarantine

Being confined to home for an extended period of time can cause boredom, stress and conflict. Suggestions include:

Arrange with your employer to work from home, if possible
Ask your child’s school to supply assignments, work sheets and homework by post or email.
Don’t rely too heavily on the television and technology. Treat quarantine as an opportunity to do some of those things you never usually have time for, such as board games, craft, drawing and reading.
Exercise regularly. Options could include exercise DVDs, dancing, floor exercises, yoga, walking around the backyard or using home exercise equipment, such as a stationary bicycle, if you have it. Exercise is a proven treatment for stress and depression.
Keep in touch with family members and friends via telephone, email or social media.

Actions being taken by Maltese Health Authorities

Malta is taking the necessary precautions in relation to coronavirus, through various actions:

Public Health Helpline: 111 or (+356) 21324086
Thermal screening of all passengers arriving at Malta International Airport, Cruise liner and Catamaran Terminals.
Travel advice for passengers travelling to or returning from affected areas is available at Airport, ports, freeports and cruise liner terminals.
A coordinating team for national response is being led by the Superintendence of Public Health.
Constant communication with WHO, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the EU Health Security Committee. The European Council is organizing regular teleconferences for all Member States to which Malta Public Health authorities participate to receive updates and advice on actions;
Enhanced surveillance to detect suspected cases early;
Communication with media, advice to clinicians and traveller’s advice;
Preparedness plans at Mater Dei Hospital and Primary Care have been set up to isolate, diagnose and treat any suspected and confirmed cases.