FAQ

Türkiye Covid-19 Hotline Alo 184

1. What is the novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)?

The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is a respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, China. This virus causes the novel Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19). Symptoms of the disease are high fever, cough, shortness of breath, headache, sore throat, nasal flow, muscle and joint pain, weakness, loss of smell and taste, diarrhea.

Coronaviruses (CoV) represent a large family of virus having single-stranded RNA and enveloped structure on the surface of which protein protrusions are available. In addition to the mild and moderate diseases, they cause serious diseases such as the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus Disease).

2. How does the novel Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) spread?

Covid-19 is transmitted by respiratory droplets, which become airborne through coughing, sneezing or talking of patients, or by touching mouth, nose or eyes after contacting with contaminated surfaces.

3. How is Covid-19 diagnosed?

The final diagnosis is made by molecular tests. These tests look for the genetic material of the virus in samples taken from throat and/or nose.

4. Is there an effective drug used for treatment and prevention of Covid-19?

There is no drug developed for this disease. Hydroxychloroquine and/or favipravir is used for the treatment of patients in our country. Furthermore, necessary supportive treatment is applied by taking the general condition of the patient into consideration.

5. Do antibiotics work against Covid-19?

The causative agent of the disease is a type of virus (SARS-CoV-2). Antibiotics cannot be used to prevent or treat infections caused by viruses.

6. How long is the incubation period of the novel Coronavirus disease?

The incubation period is between 2 and 14 days.

7. What are the symptoms of the novel Coronavirus infection?

Symptoms of this disease are high fever, cough, shortness of breath, headache, sore throat, nasal flow, muscle and joint pain, weakness, loss of smell and taste, diarrhea. However, asymptomatic cases are also identified.

8. Who are at greater risk of developing severe Covid-19 disease?

According to the data, older people and people who have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) are among those who are at greater risk of developing severe illness.

9. What kind of measures have been taken by the Ministry of Health to prevent spread of Covid-19?

- Our ministry closely monitors disease-related global developments and spread of the disease at international scale.
- Coronavirus Scientific Advisory Board was established.
- Teams have been formed working for 24/7.
- Necessary measures have been/are being taken in line with the World Health Organization’s recommendations.
- Measures have been taken in strategic areas such as airports and sea entry points, and actions to be taken in case of suspicion of disease have been determined.
- A guide has been prepared about the diagnosis of the disease, procedures to be applied in possible cases, and protection and control measures. Management algorithms have been created for the cases detected, and duties, as well as responsibilities of relevant parties have been defined. The guide is updated continuously.

10. Is there a vaccine for Covid-19?

There are three types of vaccines developed for Covid-19, which are inactivated vaccines, messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, viral vector (adenovirus) vaccines

11. What kind of measures should be taken for protection against Covid-19?

Recommendations to reduce/prevent the risk of transmission of acute respiratory infections is also applicable for Covid-19.
- Hand hygiene should be given importance. Hands should be washed with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and alcohol-free hand antiseptics should be used where soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes before washing your hands.
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Hands should be washed, in particular, after direct contact with sick people or their environment.
- Always cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissue when you cough or sneeze. Use the inside of your elbow if no tissue is available.
- Avoid visiting crowded places and health centers where the intensity of patients is high, if possible. Whenever it is needed to visit such places, contact with other people should be minimized.
- Avoid eating raw or rare animal products.
- Avoid visiting areas where there is a risk of contamination such as farms, livestock markets and butcheries.
- If any respiratory symptom develops after travelling, the nearest health facility should be visited by wearing a mask and the physician should be informed about the travel history.

12. Is there a risk of transmission of Covid-19 from the delivered packages or products?

Viruses die off in inanimate environments in a short period of time. Therefore, transmission of Covid-19 via mail or delivered packages is not expected. There is no restriction imposed on this subject matter by the World Health Organization, CDC and ECDC. The main way of transmission is close contact with the infected individual. Close contact with the courier should be avoided, and hands should be washed with water and soap for at least 20 seconds after the packages are touched.

13. Does rinsing nose with saline prevent Covid-19?

There is no evidence that rinsing nose with saline solution has protected people from Covid-19.

14. Does vinegar prevent getting infected with Covid-19?

It is not expected that vinegar would be beneficial in terms of protection against Covid-19.

15. How can I learn the result of my Coronavirus test?

You can learn your test result via E-pulse application of our Ministry. If you do not have a computer or smart phone, ask your family physicians.

16. How long should my quarantine/isolation period last?

Close contacts remain in quarantine for 10 days. The quarantine period of individuals who do not develop any symptoms during this period ends at the end of day 10 without any need for PCR test. However, measures required to be complied with in the community are still applicable for these individuals.
In addition, the quarantine period of close contacts who do not develop any symptoms during the observation period can be discontinued at the end of day 7 on the basis of the PCR test result. PCR test can be applied by taking samples at home at the earliest after day 5 provided there is available capacity. Thereafter, the quarantine period of those who tested negative and do not develop any symptoms can be ended at the end of day 7. However, the quarantine of close contacts cannot be discontinued before completion of 7 days.

If I tested positive for coronavirus,
You remain in isolation for 10 days from the date of your test in case you do not have any symptoms or your disease is mild (if you have been treated at home or stayed at hospital for no longer than 24 hours).
You remain in isolation for 14 days from the date of your test, in case you have been hospitalized (if you are required to stay at hospital for more than 24 hours).
You remain in isolation for 20 days from the date of your test in case you have been admitted to intensive care or you experience additional disease suppressing your immunity system.

17. Will I be penalized if I visit hospital during my quarantine period?

No. You can visit health facilities at any time for your health-related needs. You have to wear your mask, comply with social distance rules and inform the healthcare personnel about your condition. You have to visit the health facility with your private car, if any, or ask assistance of 112 emergency health teams.

18. How should I use my drugs?

You have to use your drugs in compliance with the advice of your physician or the healthcare personnel delivering the drugs. Unless otherwise is advised by your physician, the drug with hydroxychloroquine active substance should be consumed twice a day, one in the morning and one in the evening, for five days; whereas, the drug with favipiravir active substance should be used for five days where eight drugs both in the morning and evening should be taken for the first day, and three drugs in the morning and three in the evening should be taken for the remaining days.

19. Why does my family physician call me?

Your family physician calls you at scheduled dates to ask and monitor your general health condition, and informs provincial/district health management, hospital or 112 emergency health teams about your health condition whenever it is necessary. If you are not ill, but contacted with someone with Covid-19, your physician will ask some questions to understand whether you have developed Coronavirus disease, and will direct you to the hospital, if deemed necessary.

20. Can I return to my residential address if I have tested positive for Covid-19 or have had contact with someone with Covid-19 in another city?

You cannot return your residential address. You will be asked not to leave the location where you tested positive for Covid-19 and stay at the dormitories recommended or identified by the Vefa Support Teams in the relevant province.

21. Can I change my address where I have to complete my isolation or quarantine period with a different address in the same province?

The aim of the health management is to prevent contact with other persons during the isolation or quarantine period and stop spread of the disease. Therefore, change of address is not permitted as it may cause contact. However, address can be changed for people requiring care such as older people or children by maintaining minimum contact after district healthcare services are contacted.

22. Can I delete my name from the list of contacted persons?

No. Within the scope of contact tracing efforts, healthcare personnel identify contacted individuals by interviewing with the persons tested positive. Contact is verified by communicating with the person notified who came into contact with coronavirus case. Thereafter, relevant name is registered in the system and cannot be deleted.

23. Is Coronavirus disease transmitted from the breastfeeding mother to her baby?

Breastfeeding is important in terms of growth and development of an infant. Therefore, it is recommended that the mother continues to breastfeed her baby. However, the mother should comply with all isolation rules while taking care of her baby and breastfeeding. Hands should be washed, masks should be worn and nipple should be cleaned before breastfeeding. Then, infants can be breastfed conveniently. Breastfeeding is not recommended if drugs are used due to Coronavirus. Please pump and dispose of your breastmilk during your medication. You can continue breastfeeding after your medication is completed.

24. Is there a risk of contamination after completion of quarantine period?

The person infected with Covid-19 is not considered as an infective person after completion of the isolation period. However, the infected individual whose quarantine period ended should continue to wear masks when outside. In addition, complying with the social distance rule is an effective method for protection not only against Covid-19 but also against many other contagious diseases.

25. Should I be tested after completion of my quarantine period?

No. You can return your daily and working life after recommended follow-up period ends.

26. My workplace asks for incapacity report. How can I get this report?

Your medical report can be arranged via E-report system of our Ministry by the physician, if you are hospitalized during the term of your disease or by your family physician, if your treatment is applied at home.

27. One of my family members is a Covid-19 patient, will a sample be taken from us?

Field teams will collect samples, if you display symptoms of Coronavirus during their first visit.

28. Can I take exam (attend an interview, etc.) during my isolation/quarantine period?

Yes. Please visit the website of the institution carrying out the exam and read Covid-19 related instructions before taking the exam. Wear your mask and inform the examiners that you are a Covid-19 patient or have had contact with someone with Covid-19.

29. How should I disinfect my home or apartment during the quarantine period?

It is sufficient to clean your home or apartment with bleach diluted at a ratio of 1:100 (half tea glass of bleach mixed with 5 liters of water) and ventilate the environment.

30. I am a Covid-19 patient, what should I pay attention to at home?

- Do not accept visitors at home.
- Wear medical masks if you have to share the same environment with others.
- You should dine alone, not with your family members.
- Drink plenty of water and consume healthy foods.
- If possible, you should sit in a different room apart from others, or if this is not possible, use a well-ventilated space, maintain at least a 1-meter distance from others and wear a medical mask to prevent the risk of contamination. Replace your mask when it gets damp. If possible, you should not stay in the same house or minimize the risk of contact, especially if there are people over the age of 60 who live at home and/or have serious risk factors for Covid-19.
- You should limit your movements within the house.
- If possible, use a different toilet and bathroom.
- If there are only one toilet and bathroom, make sure they are well-ventilated, cleaned at least once every day with bleach (diluted at a ratio of 1:100). Preparation of 1:100 bleach mixture: mix half tea glass of bleach with 5 litres of water.
- Cover your mouth with a tissue (preferably with a disposable tissue) while coughing or sneezing, place used tissues within a plastic bag, tie and throw away after putting it in a second plastic bag, and wash your hands frequently.
- Do not share your personal belongings, do not use cups, plates, towels and similar household items of other family members; if this is not possible, wash them with soap and water. Wash textile products such as clothes, towels, bedsheets with detergent at 60-90°C.
- Gloves and mask should be used while cleaning your room. In the event of contamination with respiration or body extracts, after cleansing with water, soap or detergent, all surfaces should be cleaned with bleach diluted at a ratio of 1:100. In case of obvious contamination, bleach diluted at a ratio of 1:10 should be used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions