|
THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK IN EUROPE
BiE has been watching the development of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak across Europe with concern. We appreciate that members are worried and looking for advice and support as cases rise across the EU.
We are not virologists or medics and cannot advise, but see below links to official websites with information and updates on the situation in the different EU/EEA countries and the UK.
Introduction
How will country-based mitigation measures influence the course of the COVID-19 epidemic?
As an introduction you’ll find good general information on Coronavirus in an article from The Lancet, written in early March. It tries to answer a lot of the questions that we are all asking, such as the likely impact of the Italian mitigation and containment measures, the differences between ordinary flu, COVID-19 and SARS, how and when COVID-19 may be transmitted, and for how long people are infectious. It also considers whether warm weather will slow down the infection rate.
1. The European Union
a. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control COVID-19
This has lots of useful information, FAQs, measures to take etc. as well as country breakdowns of the situation and it is updated each day.
HOWEVER, PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CURRENT INFORMATION ON THE SITE ABOUT THE ABILITY OF ASYMPTOMATIC CARRIERS OF THE VIRUS AND THEIR INABILITY TO TRANSMIT THE VIRUS TO OTHERS MAY BE INCORRECT AND IS BEING REVIEWED
If you are on Twitter follow @ECDC_Outbreaks for up to date facts and figures
b. European Commission health directorate website on coronavirus
https://ec.europa.eu/health/coronavirus_en?fbclid=IwAR08ItPo83EPTYhiq7q1NQupW96LGRSthTLYWvRt0JpYGJ48NKHc2wQiNHE
2. International
World Health Organisation European region (this goes beyond the EU/EEA/EFTA states). Similar to the ECDC site but it also has some information in other languages as well as English.
http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/coronavirus-covid-19
3. The UK
The situation (with advice) in the UK:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
4. EU countries:
a. France
https://www.gouvernement.fr/info-coronavirus
https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/maladies-et-traumatismes/maladies-et-infections-respiratoires/infection-a-coronavirus/articles/infection-au-nouveau-coronavirus-sars-cov-2-covid-19-france-et-monde
b. Belgium
https://www.info-coronavirus.be/en/news/
c. Spain
Spanish health ministry:
This website has public information on what to do if you have symptoms and regular updates from the government.
Some regional government websites:
Andalusia:
https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/organismos/saludyfamilias/areas/salud-vida/paginas/Nuevo_Coronavirus.html
Madrid: (currently a hot zone along with Vitoria)
https://www.comunidad.madrid/servicios/salud/2019-nuevo-coronavirus
Comunidad Valenciana
http://www.san.gva.es/coronavirus
d. Luxembourg
https://gouvernement.lu/en/dossiers.gouv_msan%2Ben%2Bdossiers%2B2020%2Bcorona-virus.html
e. Austria
Your rights as an employee relating to coronavirus:
https://ooe.arbeiterkammer.at/beratung/arbeitundrecht/krankheitundpflege/krankheit/Arbeitsrecht_und_Corona.html?fbclid=IwAR0GGNz-ilzJ-_3jEzbRag1OLFhIUXO55d6dGPwdaW9OWPuJf_VrkeNtWVA
f. Finland
https://thl.fi/en/web/infectious-diseases/what-s-new/coronavirus-covid-19-latest-updates?fbclid=IwAR0F2BJbNdyaM1vOWXkN9hcFnfaYPwWhKD5R6xtU_7nuRNjurEN7RTHI7JE
g. Germany
https://www.infektionsschutz.de/coronavirus-sars-cov-2.html
https://www.rki.de/EN/Home/homepage_node.html
If anyone wants information about testing centres or medical provision, they should look to their Krankenkasse (Health insurance scheme) or the local Kassenärztliche Vereinigung (Association of Statutory Health Physicians).
h. Italy
Comprehensive information (Italian) is here:http://www.salute.gov.it/nuovocoronavirus
A more limited site is available in English here: http://www.protezionecivile.gov.it/risk-activities/health-risk/emergencies/coronavirus
i. Portugal
Information about the general health helpline in English: https://www.sns24.gov.pt/en/
j. Greece
https://eody.gov.gr/neos-koronaios-covid-19/
k. Norway
https://www.fhi.no/en/id/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/
i. The Netherlands
https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19?fbclid=IwAR3JrBrX3QmQXfTxh9RL5_4NEWJYKzBDmU_Wlw9fNCcmDJqtKceWVpPWuPI
j. Switzerland
https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov.html
Managing anxiety
It’s natural to feel anxious as we see the Coronavirus outbreak spreading across the world and dominating media and social media coverage, so if this is happening to you, you’re not alone. Here are some resources which will help you find ways to cope:
https://www.verywellmind.com/managing-coronavirus-anxiety-4798909
https://qz.com/1812664/the-psychology-of-coronavirus-fear-and-how-to-overcome-it/
https://theconversation.com/7-science-based-strategies-to-cope-with-coronavirus-anxiety-133207
Good luck and good health!
|
