Find out more about symptoms, risk groups, tests and vaccines.

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What is COVID‑19?

It is an infectious disease caused by the SARS‑CoV‑2 virus, a novel coronavirus. Infected people develop mainly respiratory symptoms or are asymptomatic.

One person infects 1–2 other people

First symptoms appear after 5 days on average

Severe symptoms in almost 20% of patients

It is estimated that on average one infected person infects 1–2 other people. The period from infection to the appearance of first symptoms is 1–14 days (5 days on average). More than 80% of patients develop mild symptoms. They do not require hospitalisation. Severe complications occur in the elderly, immunocompromised and those with chronic diseases (especially cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic diseases).

How can one get infected?

You can get infected through:

Direct contact with respiratory droplets carrying infectious virus

(sneezing, coughing or breathing out while talking)

Close contact with an infected person

(hugging, kissing, using the same items and sharing food)

Touching surfaces, documents and items

(on which the virus is present and transferring it with your hands to your face)

Shaking hands with a person infected with SARS‑CoV‑2

COVID‑19 symptoms

  • In adults
  • In children
The most common symptoms include the following::

fever (> 38°C)

sore throat and/or dry cough

difficulty breathing/shortness of breath

Severe
fatigue

Some may also experience the following:

nausea, vomiting,
diarrhoea

stuffy nose,
sore throat

muscle and/or
joint pain

smell and/or taste disorders or loss

Initially, the symptoms are mild, but they become more severe over time.

The disease in children appears to be relatively mild.
Children are often asymptomatic and if symptoms are present they are less specific than in adults.

The most common symptoms include the following:

cough

red throat

fever

runny nose

weakness

The fever is usually lower than in adults (up to 37.5°C) and shorter in duration.
Sometimes vomiting and diarrhoea may also occur.

Do you suspect you have COVID‑19 symptoms
or have had close contact with someone with COVID‑19?

You must:

1.

Stay at home and contact your Medicover doctor by phone.

2.

Call the National Health Fund helpline to learn what to do when you suspect that you are infected with coronavirus (800 190 590) or contact a National Health Fund primary care physician if you do not have a subscription with Medicover.

3.

Avoid public transport and contact with other people.

Note: even if you are not covered by the National Health Fund insurance, during the pandemic you can receive health care services in the public sector free of charge.

If alarming symptoms appear, i.e. persistent fever above 39°C, shortness of breath, chest pain and petechiae, immediately call the Medicover Hot Line (500 900 999) or emergency services (112)

Download our current publications

Guide
for Adults
Guide
for Children