Georgia: Government confirms first case of COVID-19 February 26 /update 1

Event

On Wednesday, February 26, Georgia's health minister announced the country's first confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19). The patient, a Georgian national, recently returned from Iran and is being treated in a hospital in Tbilisi.

The suspension of direct air traffic between Georgia and China remains in place as of Wednesday due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. According to the Georgian Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA), the restrictions will be in effect until at least March 29. Georgian authorities have also implemented increased measures at all ports of entry to detect symptoms of the virus in travelers arriving in the country.

Further international spread of COVID-19 is to be expected in the coming days and weeks.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in more than 30 countries and territories worldwide. Virus screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On February 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the COVID-19 outbreak is a "very grave threat."

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Potentially affected travelers are advised to monitor the situation, confirm travel itineraries, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home government.

To reduce the general risk of transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures :

• Frequently clean hands by using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water

• When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue - throw tissue away immediately and wash hands

• If you have fever, cough, and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider

• Adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments

In the case that symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness emerge either during or after travel, travelers are encouraged to seek medical attention and share their travel history with their health care provider. Travelers returning from China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran, who develop symptoms of pneumonia are