As part of Allianz Care’s mission to keep you well, and well informed, throughout the global COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak, we’ve answered some of your most commonly asked medical and cover related questions.
No, this is not true. Children can be infected with COVID-19 and they are able to transmit coronavirus, even if they do not have symptoms. Children experience less severe forms of the disease. It is important that children adhere to hand washing guidelines, cough etiquette and practice social distancing, even if they appear healthy..
There is little evidence that an animal can transmit COVID-19 to humans.
Coronavirus is spread via human to human transmission. When a person coughs or sneezes, the droplets land on surfaces and are picked up on the hands of others and spread further. When sneezing or coughing, an “aerosol” is created, which can infect others standing closer than 2 metres. Hence the recommendation of social distancing. The virus is transmitted when people touch their mouth, nose or eyes with infected hands.
Again, this is a question which is the subject of ongoing research. Research does indicate that a person can remain infectious after recovering from COVID-19, however, it is unknown how long they will remain infectious. Estimates range from 10 days and longer after symptoms have disappeared.
The incubation period for COVID-19 range from 2 to 14 days. Most commonly, people begin to show symptoms of COVID-19 around 5 days after catching the virus. Most people (about 80 per cent) will have mild symptoms and will not require hospitalisation.
The risk of coronavirus transmission via food and food packaging is low. There is a risk of transmission when visiting the supermarket to shop for groceries, through contact with others and with high-touch surfaces like shopping carts. Adhere to hand washing guidelines, cough etiquette and practice social distancing while shopping in the supermarket. Standard food hygiene and food safety standards should be adhered to when preparing, cooking and eating perishable foodstuffs, meat, fresh fruit and vegetables.
Although it is unknown how long the virus which causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, it is believed to behave like other coronaviruses. Laboratory tests have shown that coronaviruses may survive for up to 24 hours on porous surfaces such as cardboard and paper, and for up to 72 hours on hard, shiny surfaces such as glass and steel.In real world conditions, the length of time a coronavirus survives on a surface will vary depending on other factors such as temperature, humidity etc.
As most research papers confirm, a person who has had a confirmed Covid-19 infection is immune to repeat infection for at least 6 months. It is recommended to get a booster vaccination injection after this period. Only one booster injection will suffice to induce a further 6 to 9 months of immunity.
Neither chloroquine nor any other anti-malarial drug has been approved for treating those infected with COVID-19. There are ongoing clinical trials to determine how chloroquine behaves in people with COVID-19.1.10 Are there any medicines that prevent or cure COVID-19?There is no evidence that any currently available medicines can prevent or cure COVID-19. However, there are medicines under investigation which are being tested through clinical trials.
There is no evidence that any currently available medicines can prevent or cure COVID-19. However, there are medicines under investigation which are being tested through clinical trials.