Information services on the novel coronavirus Information sharing

If you are looking for information on the corona outbreak in Lower Saxony, the state government has put together an information package that is kept up to date on a daily basis. It contains:

• Information for service providers such as trade, tourism
• Information for citizens
• Information for hospitals and care facilities
• Questions and answers
• Further links to contact points

Respiratory diseases caused by the novel coronavirus were first detected in early December 2019 in the Chinese metropolis of Wuhan (Hubei province). The virus can be transmitted from person to person.

Coronaviruses in general usually cause mild courses of the disease, but can also lead to severe, possibly fatal courses. The novel coronavirus can lead to a severe infection of the lower respiratory tract and pneumonia in some of the patients. Deaths have so far occurred mainly in patients who already suffered from serious underlying diseases.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) estimates the risk of spread in Germany as high (as of 17.3.2020). The RKI publishes current case numbers, affected countries and information on risk areas.

What to do in case of suspected infection

A warning and information system has already been set up for travellers arriving by plane from a risk area.

If you return from a risk area and develop symptoms such as fever or respiratory problems within 14 days, the RKI recommends contacting a doctor (call) and coordinating your visit.

• Information services on the novel coronavirus
• Respiratory infections caused by novel coronavirus (2019-nCov):
  • common coronaviruses: usually mild cold, but also serious illnesses
  • novel coronaviruses (2019-nCov): in addition to mild courses, severe infection of the lower respiratory tract or pneumonia possible.
• Spread
  • First infections detected at the beginning of December 2019 in the Chinese province of Hubei and the provincial capital Wuhan
  • transferable from person to person
  • Deaths, especially in patients who already suffered from serious underlying diseases
  • high risk of spread in Germany according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) (as of 17.3.2020).
  • RKI publishes current figures and risk areas
• Behaviour in case of suspected infection, recommendations of the RKI:
  • after stay in risk areas or
  • after contact with patients and
  • Symptoms such as fever, respiratory problems, usually within 14 days after infection:
    • Contact your family doctor (call) or 116117 (medical on-call service) and describe your suspicions
    • Coordinate your doctor's visit
  • Obligation for doctors and laboratories to report to the health authority (without personal data of patients)
• Rules of conduct for prevention:
  • observe the usual rules of conduct for infection protection, such as protection against influenza:
    • Wash hands regularly and thoroughly
    • Observe etiquette when coughing and sneezing
    • Keep your distance from patients
• Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) provides information on protection against infections and frequently asked questions about the novel coronavirus (infektionsschutz.de)
• Travel
  • Observe current travel advice from the Federal Foreign Office when planning a trip to risk areas

responsible: RKI (including assessment of the situation, risk assessment, recommendations for measures, information of the expert public)

Some federal states have set up hotlines for citizens.

Information for citizens:

Independent Patient Advice Germany (UPD)

Advice phone: 0800 0117722
Call times:
Monday to Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Federal Ministry of Health 

Hotline for the coronavirus: 030 346465100
Call times: 
Monday to Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA)
Maarweg 149-161
50825 Cologne

Phone: 0221 89920
Fax: 0221 8992300
E-mail: poststelle@bzga.de

Specialist information for medical personnel:

Robert Koch Institute
North Bank 20
13353 Berlin, Germany

Phone: 030 187540
Fax: 030 187542328

Doctors and laboratories must report the suspicion of illness with the novel coronavirus to the health department. The Health Department

• can take further measures to protect against infection,
• reports information about the case to the state authorities. Name, address and other personal data will not be transmitted. The RKI evaluates all information on the novel coronavirus centrally.

General protection against infections

The RKI and the BZgA refer to the usual general rules of conduct for protection against infectious diseases:

• Wash hands regularly and thoroughly.
• Observe etiquette when coughing and sneezing
• Keep your distance from patients.

These also serve, for example, to protect against flu.

In acute respiratory infections, it may be useful for a sick person to wear mouth-nose protection. As a result, he can reduce the risk of infection of other people by droplets caused by coughing or sneezing (external protection).

Information for travellers

The Federal Foreign Office publishes health recommendations for trips abroad as required. Up-to-date information can be found on the travel and security advice of the Federal Foreign Office. 

• Information page State of Lower Saxony
• Information on the coronavirus on the website of the Federal Ministry of Health
• Questions and answers about the coronavirus
• Infection Protection Guide
• Travel and security advice from the Federal Foreign Office
• Information on the coronavirus of the Robert Koch Institute