Dr. med. Jörg Haensel Ihre Hausarztpraxis in Jülich

Information regarding COVID-19

Attention - current information regarding COVID-19 / CoV-SARS / "new coronavirus"

From March 23, 2020 the State of Northrhine-Westphalia has enacted a limitation of contacts in public. No more than 2 persons can gather in public, except they are the same core family (live in same household) or are life partners. More information here (information in German),

  • Keep a distance of 2 meters!

  • Do not travel!

  • Stay home!

  • Leave your home only for shopping (essentials) or for work!

  • Work from home if possible

  • Arbeiten Sie, wenn möglich von Zuhause!

  • Avoid social contacts, especially with the elderly!

  • These measures are key to slow the spread of the virus!

  • Do not take your children to their grandparents for child care!
Since the end of 2019 there has been a surge of infection with a new type of virus. This infection affects the respiratory tract. The symptoms are similar to a cold or a flu. The origin of this disease is probably located in the PR China. This virus can be transmitted from human to human. Scientist currently assume an incubation period of 14 days, this means a person can have contracted the virus and show no symptoms yet this person can infect others.
COVID-19 is unlike the flu. When compared with the seasonal infection with orthomyxoviruses ("flu"), COVID-19 shows a higher rate of deaths.

Currently there is no cure. It is crucial that the transmission of this virus to be stopped by epidemiological means.

The most important thing you can do, is to wash your hands. Disinfectant should only be used if hand washing is unavailable.
You can find information on how to properly wash you hands here. (World Health Organisation).

Sneeze into your elbow, not your hand. This can greatly reduce the risk of infection. More information at the CDC.

Avoid shaking hands. There many other ways to show respect to another person, for example bowing. This can greatly reduce the risk of infection.

Avoid visits to hospitals and care facilities. The elderly have a much higher risk to suffer from a severe form of COVID-19. Use video chat or the telephone.

Social distancing is the best method to slow the spread. Refrain from visiting persons at risk (persons over 65, chronically ill). These persons have a very high risk to become a severe case.

Please consider, that there are infected without any symptoms that can spread the virus unknowingly to others,

Keep at least 2 meter distance to another person. This can reduce the risk of infection.

Avoid all absolutely essential travel! There is a increased risk of infection at airports, train stations, airplanes, and trains, because in these places large groups of people stay for longer times in close proximity.

Masks can offer a good protection for other people. Avoid using FFP2 or FFP3 masks (N95 in the USA other countries), they are hard to obtain and should be reserved for medical staff. A home made mask can be as good as a surgical mask. Your should prefer such masks.

Unfortunately shady offers promising a cure for the disease have pop up on social media. Do not believe these fasle promises, they are just a scam.

These measures are quite drastic but only by adhering to them we have a chance to reduce the number of deaths and severe cases.