The emergence of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in Germany has led to many questions among the population. The health department of the district of Märkisch-Oderland has therefore set up a citizens' hotline with immediate effect.
Call 03346 850-6790 from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for urgent questions relating to the coronavirus.
A reasonable suspicion of illness is said to exist if the symptoms typical of the disease occur and one of the following two criteria is met.
- There was contact with a confirmed case in the 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms.
- You have been in a risk area within the 14 days before the onset of symptoms.
If this is not the case, it is most likely not a coronavirus infection, but rather the flu or another cold.
The Märkisch-Oderland public health department asks all citizens to act prudently.
If any of the above criteria apply, please DO NOT simply go to the doctor. In order to prevent a possible transmission in the waiting room of the doctor's practice, a telephone consultation should be made beforehand.
To protect against the coronavirus as well as the classic flu:
- Refrain from greeting rituals with physical contact
- Coughing or sneezing into the crook of your elbow (coughing etiquette)
- Do not put your hands in your face (infection route via the nasolacrimal duct)
- Place greater emphasis on hand hygiene. Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly!
- Frequent ventilation lowers the viral load in rooms
- During the peak of the epidemic: avoid crowds, public transport (if possible)
Incidentally, mouth and nose protection for private use by healthy people is controversial, as it is often not used correctly (keyword: wearing method and time) and gives the impression of false safety, so that hand washing is neglected.
Further information on the coronavirus and detailed recommendations for action can be found at www.rki.de
Background:
The new coronavirus is a close "relative" of SARS, a virus that was epidemic in many countries in 2002/2003 and in some cases also led to severe respiratory illnesses. Two years ago, the annual real flu or influenza resulted in an estimated nine million influenza-related visits to the doctor and around 25,000 deaths in Germany (source: RKI). In this respect, proportionality to the current situation should always be taken into account.
Responsible: Thomas Berendt, press spokesman for the district of MOL