Testing for Coronavirus is being extended to anyone showing respiratory problems after visiting countries affected by the outbreak, the Health Authorities said Monday.

In a statement, the Health Ministry said the authorities are following developments and monitoring the evolving global situation, and survelliance and containment measures for the outbreak of COVID-19 are continuously being enhanced.

In line with the recommendation issued by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control today, laboratory testing for COVID-19 will be performed for patients who are suffering from  acute respiratory tract infection with sudden onset of cough, fever or shortness of breath and who have been in countries within which local transmission of COVID-19 has been reported in the previous 14 days. These countries and regions include: 

Western Pacific Region: China, including Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam

European Region: Italy, France, Germany, Spain, The United Kingdom, Norway, Croatia, Netherlands, San Marino

South East Asian Region: Thailand

Eastern Mediterranean Region: Iran, United Arab Emirates,

Region of the Americas: Canada, United States of America

People with these symptoms who have returned from these countries within the last 14 days should call their doctor or the COVID-19 helpline on 21324086. They are advised to refrain from visiting doctors’ clinics, health centres or the casualty department in the first instance. 

The recommendation for self-quarantine remains for those countries and regions where there is high sustained transmission which are as previously notified:

Northern part of Italy (Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto and Emilia Romagna), China (including Hong Kong),  Singapore,  Japan,  Iran, South Korea.

The general public are reminded to take the necessary precautions for prevention of respiratory infections:

Clean: Clean hands often by washing with soap and water or using alcohol hand rub.

Contain: Contain germs by staying at home if unwell; do not go to work or school until one is better. Do not visit patients in hospital if you are sick.

Cover: Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze into bare hands.  Do not leave tissues running around

Do not sneeze or cough into your hands as you may contaminate objects or people that you touch.

For more information, the general public can call the COVID-19 helpline on 21324086 or visit the website covid19.gov.mt.