Important information on coronavirus from the Estonian Health Board

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Dear Estonian resident, We are sending you the most important information on the coronavirus. Coronavirus spreads from person to person via droplets, mainly in close contact with an infected person. The most common symptoms are headache, stuffy or runny nose, cough, fatigue, muscle pain, runny nose, sore throat and fever. In severe cases, one might develop breathing difficulties, chest pains and problems with speech and movement. It is characteristic of the coronavirus that an infected person may be contagious several days before symptoms appear. You may spread the virus without knowing it, and later it is often impossible to identify who you met during the infectious period. The elderly and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk from the coronavirus. In order to protect yourself, your family, friends and colleagues, you can take simple steps that have a big impact: Keep your distance! The best way to prevent infection is to keep a safe distance from others (at least 2 meters). This makes it less likely for invisible droplets from the infected person to reach you. In enclosed spaces, it is best to keep your group as small as possible and spread out. Download the mobile app HOIA to your phone via Google Play or App Store! The app warns you when you have been in close contact with an infected person. The app also allows you to notify others anonymously if you have fallen ill. Using the app is private and secure. The notifications sent do not tell when, for how long and where the app user came in contact with an infected person; therefore, it is not possible to identify that person. This information is not available to the government, developer of the app, mobile phone manufacturer or any other app user. For security reasons, HOIA use is restricted to phones manufactured in the last five years. Therefore, all Android phones that support Android 6.0 operating system and all Apple phones that support iOS 13.5 operating system (from iPhone 6S) are compatible. Find out more about the HOIA app on the website www.hoia.me/en. A timely warning can save someone's life. We recommend everyone to download the application. Stay at home if you are ill or a close contact of an infected person! If you are ill or you have been in close contact with an infected person, stay at home. If you suspect that you have the coronavirus, call your family doctor or the family doctors' hotline 1220 and ask for advice. If necessary, the doctor will refer you to coronavirus testing. If you suspect infection, do not go to the emergency room, as you may pose a risk to others. Wear a mask! The mask should cover both the nose and mouth.Make sure that your family members always have a mask with them as well. Wash your hands! The risk of infection to yourself and your close ones can be significantly reduced by washing hands carefully and often. Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes with unwashed hands. Greet people without shaking hands. The Estonian Health Board www.terviseamet.ee/en