What is coronavirus?
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause symptoms ranging from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). A new coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain of coronavirus that has not yet been identified in humans.
COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the last coronavirus that was discovered (SARS-CoV-2). This new virus and disease was unknown before the outbreak appeared in Wuhan (China) in December 2019.
COVID-19 infection remains mild in 80% of cases. On the other hand, to avoid spreading among the general population and to protect vulnerable and fragile populations, it is important to take a certain number of precautions.
Where did the new coronavirus appear?
SARS-CoV-2 is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been seen in humans before. The epidemic began in the Chinese city of Wuhan, capital of Hubei province. At first, it seemed that the epidemic was linked to the South China Seafood City market. This market welcomes traders in seafood, poultry, bats, marmots and other wild animals, which indicates a probable animal origin of this virus. It turned out later that the virus can also be transmitted between humans. Cases have since been discovered in other regions of China and in other countries, often linked to a history of travel to Wuhan. The health authorities of the various affected countries are currently researching the coronavirus and the sources of the contamination.
Which areas are currently declared at risk?
The risk exposure zones are defined as the zones or regions for which a diffuse community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is described, ie where the virus circulates among the population.
| Continent | Country |
| Asia | China (mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao); Singapore; Japan; South Korea |
| Middle East | Iran |
| Europe | Italy: Lombardy, Veneria, Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont |
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Source: ECDC https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/areas-presumed-community-transmission-2019-ncov
This list is subject to change at any time depending on the information available.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms vary from moderate to severe respiratory disease with fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Seniors and people with pre-existing chronic illnesses seem more vulnerable and vulnerable to complications.
The incubation period, the period between contamination and the appearance of the first symptoms, of COVID-19 infection is a maximum of 14 days.
How is COVID-19 coronavirus spread?
COVID-19 infection is transmitted by people with 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. You can get COVID-19 if you touch these objects or surfaces and then touch your eyes, nose or mouth. COVID-19 can also be acquired by inhaling droplets from a sick person who has just coughed or sneezed. This is why it is important to stand more than two meters from a sick person and to respect basic hygiene measures.
Consumption of undercooked or undercooked animal products may present a risk of infection. When the product is cooked, the virus is destroyed.
What should I do to protect myself and avoid being contaminated?
The same precautions should be observed as for any other respiratory infection.
- Most importantly, wash your hands regularly and properly. You can find the best way to wash your hands online at www.sante.lu
- Do you cough or sneeze? Do it in a tissue or in the crease of the elbow. Throw the tissue in a bin with a lid.
- Avoid shaking hands or kissing.
- Avoid close contact with sick people (keep a distance of at least 2 meters).
- Stay home if you are sick. Don’t go to work!
- Avoid touching your face with your hands as much as possible.
I am a vulnerable person, what should I do?
Like the flu, the coronavirus is especially dangerous for the elderly and people with other (serious) health problems. Protect yourself from coronavirus like you do for the flu. Follow the 6 instructions listed above and avoid poorly ventilated areas where there are many people.
At this point, it appears that children are generally less severely affected.
Is there a risk that the new coronavirus will arrive in Luxembourg?
Currently, cases have appeared in different places in Europe. These patients are isolated and their contacts are quarantined to limit the spread of the disease. As the number of patients increases in Europe, the likelihood of people becoming infected with the coronavirus also increases in Luxembourg. So this is a likely scenario. The authorities and the health services are ready to receive, care for and isolate these patients.
How is Luxembourg preparing?
The new coronavirus can appear in Luxembourg at any time. It is therefore important to quickly detect the virus so that it cannot spread or very little.
Health authorities have developed procedures for dealing with suspected cases of infection and for tracking contacts. These procedures have been communicated to all doctors on several occasions. The National Health Laboratory (LNS) is approved by the World Health Organization for the diagnosis of the virus. The national infectious disease service at the Center hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL) is prepared to receive possible cases of suspicion or confirmed cases of illness. The procedures for quarantine and self-monitoring of contacts have been defined by the Health Department and can be implemented quickly by the Health Inspectorate.
Luxembourg has a stock of special masks (FFP2) and surgical masks. These masks are intended for caregivers in close contact with a sick person or a person in quarantine. Luxembourg is participating in a joint acquisition with other EU member states aimed at strengthening the existing stock.
An interdepartmental coordination group continuously plans and prepares the measures to be taken in the event of a COVID-19 infection.
What is the role of the Health Inspectorate?
The Health Inspectorate is a division of the Health Directorate. She is responsible for:
- to ensure the protection of public health both with regard to environmental health and the surveillance and control of communicable diseases,
- to organize medical checks for third-country nationals,
- to deal with files relating to foreigners wishing to seek treatment in Luxembourg and whose care is not provided by social security organizations,
- to rule on the medical fitness for removal measures.
Can I move in a risk zone?
Avoid as much as possible a trip to a risk zone, namely a destination where the epidemic is raging.
If, however, you are traveling to a risk area, observe both the local instructions and the following recommendations.
It is possible that your travel plans may be thwarted since certain places may be closed to the public or placed in quarantine.
I have been in a risk area for the past 14 days and have the following symptoms: fever, cough, breathing problems. What should I do?
If you have these symptoms and you have been in a risk zone, or if someone close to you is sick and has gone to one of these zones, call the Health Inspectorate (+352 247 -85650) and, between 19:00 and 8:00, 112, and mention your travel history and your symptoms.
Do not go to a doctor’s waiting room or to the emergency room. To avoid contamination of other people, it is recommended to stay away from these people. Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when you sneeze or cough. Throw the tissues in a bin with a lid and wash your hands frequently and properly.
I have symptoms (cough, fever, breathing problems), but I have not been in the last 14 days in a risk zone. What should I do?
If you have not been in close contact with a sick person who has recently been in a risk area, you should not worry. You may have a seasonal flu. In this case, consult your general practitioner.
If you return from a risk area without showing symptoms, but you have been potentially in casual contact with infected people, within 14 days of your return:
- Monitor symptoms (cough, breathing problems) daily;
- Measure your temperature twice a day;
- Wash your hands frequently and properly;
- Avoid contact with vulnerable and fragile people;
- Continue your usual activity.
I was in close contact with infected people, even without showing symptoms, within 14 days of contact. What should I do?
- Stay at home and avoid contact with other people
- Call the Health Inspectorate (+352) 2478 5650 who may decide to quarantine you
- Stay accessible for the Health Inspectorate
You are considered to have been in close contact:
- If you shared the same living area as the sick patient when the latter presented symptoms;
- If you have had direct face-to-face contact within two meters of the sick patient when coughing, sneezing, or talking;
- With your flirts and intimate people;
- With your class or office neighbors;
- If you are a neighbor of the sick patient on an airplane or train, or if you have stayed in a confined space with him (eg private car).
What does quarantine mean?
It is a measure of confinement of a person in good health, but having had proven close contact with a sick and contagious person. This measure to protect public health is decided by the Health Inspectorate and its duration depends on the maximum incubation period for the disease (coronavirus: 14 days). Quarantine is done either at home or in a quarantine center. The person cannot move freely during quarantine.
She benefits from a work stoppage which is equivalent to a sickness certificate drawn up by the Health Inspectorate and which is recognized by the sickness fund. If quarantine is decided by a health authority from another European country, the work stoppage established by this country is recognized by Luxembourg.
What does an isolation measure mean?
It is a measure of confinement of a sick and contagious person, decided by the doctor in charge of the patient’s care. If necessary, isolation can be imposed by the Health Inspectorate if, for example, the patient refuses isolation or its therapeutic management. The duration of isolation depends on the duration of contagiousness of the disease.
Isolation is usually done in a hospital, but can also be done at home. For the duration of the illness, the patient benefits from a work stoppage which is equivalent to a sickness certificate drawn up by the attending physician.
Why is there no screening at Luxembourg Airport?
The World Health Organization does not advocate additional measures for airports. In aviation, very strict procedures still apply. If the crew notices a passenger on board who is showing symptoms, this is reported to the airport before the plane even lands, and a medical team is ready at the airport to take care of the passenger in question. The other passengers will be taken care of according to the degree of exposure on arrival by the Health Inspectorate.
Can I be contaminated with a package from a risk zone?
Coronaviruses spread through secretions from humans and animals. It is not excluded that they survive for a few hours outside the body on surfaces, such as packages. It is for this reason that it is essential to comply with the hygiene measures which prevent contamination.
When to wear a mask?
Wearing a mask as a preventive measure is not recommended by the World Health Organization as a means to avoid contamination with the COVID-19 virus.
The use of special masks (FFP2) to prevent infection with coronavirus only makes sense in hospitals where patients infected with coronavirus are treated as well as, in laboratories, for the examination of the body material of these patients .
Can children and young people returning from a risk zone go to school or nursery?
In line with international recommendations, children and young people who return from a risk zone without having had proven close contact with a sick and contagious person and without presenting typical symptoms (cough, fever, respiratory problems) can directly return to school or nursery.
If a child or young person presents these symptoms within 14 days after his return, or has been found to be in close contact with a sick and contagious person, his parents must keep him at home, contact the Health Inspectorate and mention the travel history and present symptoms. The health inspection doctor will assess the situation and take the necessary measures. Do not go to your doctor or the emergency room.
Can adults returning from a risk zone resume their professional activity?
If these people have not been proven to be in close contact with a sick and contagious person and do not show typical symptoms (cough, fever, respiratory problems), they can resume their professional activity.
Can my employer force me to stay at home, upon my return from a risk zone, in the absence of symptoms?
An employer can certainly ask an employee to stay at home.
In this case, the resulting absence is qualified as a work exemption and cannot be counted against the recreational leave. It is recommended that you ask the employer to formulate the exemption from service in writing.
Are our hospitals and health services prepared to accommodate many patients?
Yes, our hospitals are prepared. There is a referral service for the reception of patients infected with the coronavirus, namely the National Service of Infectious Diseases at CHL.
For all other questions related to COVID-2019, please consult the websites of the Ministry of Health www.sante.lu/coronavirus, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) www.ecdc.eu or the World Health Organization (WHO) www.who.int.
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