A novel coronavirus means a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not that same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.
Our current understanding about how the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads is largely based on what we already known about similar coronaviruses. It can be spread in the follow ways:
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person, particularly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). For example it can spread via a handshake.
In particular it can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes, as this produces respiratory droplets which can then be passed to others by the nose, mouth or inhalation.
It also highly likely that COVID-19 can be spread by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then touching your own mouth, nose, or eyes. It is therefore advised to avoid touching your face and to adopt good hand hygiene. However evidence suggests this is not the most common way by which the virus is transmitted.
Infected people are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic, i.e. at the height of their illness. However evidence also suggests that it is possible for the infected to spread the virus before they even show any symptoms; although again this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
Quarantine is when a person or group of people who have been exposed to a contagious disease but have not yet developed symptoms are separated from those who have not been exposed in order to prevent the possible spread of that disease.
Quarantine is usually established for the ‘incubation period’ of the communicable disease, which means the span of time during which it took for people to develop symptoms/ become ill after exposure.
For COVID-19, the quarantine period is 14 days from the last date of exposure, because 14 days is the longest incubation period seen for similar coronaviruses. Someone who has been released from a COVID-19 quarantine is not considered a risk for spreading the virus to others, because they have not developed the illness during the incubation period.
There are a number of measure you can take to limit your exposure to the infection. These include:
If you or your client experience the symptoms of the virus, such as fever, cough and shortness of breath, you should contact your doctor in the first instance.
It is best to call in advance to alert them to your symptoms rather than visit in person to help prevent further spread of the disease. They can then advise further on whether you need to seek medical treatment.
A number of countries have quarantine restrictions for those that have recently visited mainland China, so please check with relevant local health authorities for advice.
If you are symptomatic, where possible try to isolate yourself from family members, particularly the vulnerable (e.g. elderly or those with pre-existing medical conditions).
Yes, don't worry. There is no pandemic exclusion across our plans so if a member is diagnosed with the virus, any treatment will be covered as per the terms of their plan.
Please note, if your client is seeking Out-Patient treatment such as a GP consultation or diagnostic test for the virus, this will only be covered if they have Out-Patient cover.
We understand that most national governments are covering the cost for treatment at any government run quarantine facilities. However if this is not the case and your client does have to pay for treatment, then they will be covered as per the terms of their plan.
If your client already has a GOP in place for elective surgery but wishes to postpone the surgery, we are on hand to assist. We can arrange a cancellation of their existing GOP, and then rearrange at a later date once they have rescheduled their procedure.
We advise members to consult their medical practitioner first to discuss whether it is safe to delay any treatment.
If a new applicant has coronavirus at the time of application, this will be considered a pre-existing condition and our Underwriting Team will then assess the application in the usual manner, based on various risk factors.
This does not necessarily mean that we will reject cover out right, but each application will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Please note this is an evolving situation and the guidance is updated daily. Below are some of the key information sources about the coronavirus, and we advise you to check these for further information. If you need further information about your local area, please contact your relevant local authority for further information.
If you have a question about the coronavirus that we do not address here, please email our team at [email protected] and we will do our best to assist you.