Health Minister Koca on Coronavirus Outbreak: Risk is Serious

* Photo and news: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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Following the Coronavirus Science Board meeting yesterday (March 11), Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca, Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Minister of Trade Ruhsar Pekcan addressed the reporters at the Bilkent Campus of the Ministry of Health in Ankara.

In their trilateral meeting, three ministers discussed the preventive measures to be taken against Covid-19, the new strain of coronavirus, in the fields of healthcare, trade and tourism and culture.

While coronavirus outbreak has now been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), Turkey confirmed its first case yesterday.

CLICK - Minister Koca: One Person Diagnosed with Covid-19 in Turkey

Koca: We are likely to have similar infections

Taking the floor at the press conference following their meeting, Minister of Health Koca has said, "The state of the epidemic in Europe will - most probably - not be content with bringing us face to face with solely the picture that we had yesterday evening. The risk is serious."

Reminding the public that antibiotics are not effective for coronavirus, the Minister has warned that "guesses and comments are blended with inferences." Accordingly, he has indicated that journalists "have great responsibilities in that regard."

Coronavirus originated in Wuhan, China last December and has spread to at least 114 countries.

The global death toll is now almost 4,300, with more than 118,000 confirmed cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which has declared the outbreak "a global pandemic."

"Just as we are responsible for sharing accurate information, I believe that you also have a responsibility to spread accurate information", Koca has said.

Reiterating the seriousness of the risk, Koca has also warned the citizens against their international travel plans: "Our citizens who were planning to go abroad should either cancel their travel plans or postpone it."

On the suspension of schools, Health Minister Koca has said that the issue was not on the agenda at the meeting, but can be considered if the need arises.

Concluding his remarks, Fahrettin Koca has also touched upon the gradually surging prices of masks and protective overalls and reminded the reporters that they previously decided that they should be subject to the preliminary permission of the Ministry of Health.

Addressing the manufacturers within this context, the Minister has indicated that no export licenses will granted unless the citizens can easily reach the equipments such as masks and protective overalls in the domestic market.

Cultural activities, events likely to be postponed

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Ersoy has also talked about ministerial measures to prevent the spread of the outbreak.

He has said that suspending cultural activities and events until the end of April have been on their agenda. Ersoy has also recommended the hotels in the country to plan the opening of the summer season this year from the end of April instead of the end of March.

Domestic trade fairs postponed

Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan has also announced postponing domestic trade fairs from March 16 until the end of April.

"As the Ministry of Trade, we have been carrying out our works in coordination with the Health and Interior Ministries, and in line with the decisions made by the scientific committee," Pekcan has said.

She has noted that the public health is the priority and that the Trade Ministry is taking measures to preserve the continuity of trade.

How to protect oneself from the new Coronavirus?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the protective measures against the new coronavirus (Covid-19) can be briefly listed as follows:

Wash your hands frequently

Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

Maintain social distancing

Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth

Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

Practice respiratory hygiene

Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early

Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.

Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.

(EMK/EKN/SD)