Written March 5, 2020
Two Iranian students have become Hungary’s first confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus. “Two patients have been taken into medical care due to coronavirus infections,” Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said in a Facebook video message on Wednesday, March 4. “Two foreigners, students studying in Hungary, Iranians, they are currently symptom-free it seems but confirmed as infected.”
Dr Janos Szlavik at the Central Hospital of Southern Pest said both patients had visited family in Iran recently and their roommates were being taken into quarantine.
Authorities were making efforts to establish their travel history within Hungary and who they had been in contact with, Szlavik said.
A call center set up for advice on the coronavirus can be reached on +36-80 277-455 and +36 80-277-456 or by email under koronavirus@bm.gov.hu.
The World Health Organization has recommended the following basic protective measures against any respiratory virus, including the new coronavirus:
Wash your hands frequently
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
Maintain social distancing
Maintain at least 1 meter distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
Practice respiratory hygiene
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early
Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance.
Why? Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.
Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider
Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on whether COVID-19 is spreading in your area. They are best placed to advise on what people in your area should be doing to protect themselves.
Protection measures for persons who are in or have recently visited (past 14 days) areas where COVID-19 is spreading
Follow the guidance outlined above.
- Stay at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and slight runny nose, until you recover. If you must go out, put a facemask on.Why? Avoiding direct contact with others and visits to medical facilities will help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.
- If you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice promptly. Call in advance and tell your provider of any recent travel or contact with travelers.Why? Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also help to prevent possible spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.
A call center set up for advice on the coronavirus can be reached on +36-80 277-455 and +36 80-277-456 or by email under koronavirus@bm.gov.hu.
