COVID-19, questions and answers
19/06/2020
General information on COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019)
This information is under constant review
Coronaviruses are a type of virus that usually infect animals, but some of them can also affect humans. The new coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and has gradually spread to other countries. The disease caused by this virus is known as COVID-19, a term coined from the words “Coronavirus Disease 19”, and usually only causes mild respiratory symptoms.
The disease is spread mainly by direct contact with an infected person’s respiratory droplets, for example through coughing or sneezing. These droplets can infect others through the nose, eyes or mouth. This is why it is important to wash your hands and to cover your mouth with disposable tissues or the inside of your elbow when coughing. According to the most recent data, the symptoms of COVID-19 may take 1 to 14 days to appear, although they usually take 5 to 6 days.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, coughing and feeling of breathlessness. In some cases, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, or digestive symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain may also occur. In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, kidney failure, and even death.
Some people become infected but do not develop any symptoms and are not sick. Most people (about 80%) recover from the condition without any special treatment. About 1 in 6 people who get COVID-19 develop severe disease. About 2% of people who have contracted the condition have died.
The highest risk groups are people over 65 and people with chronic illnesses, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cardíac or pulmonary disorders and people with congenital or acquired immunity problems. However, it should be noted that it affects people from all age groups.
You can find more information on the Government of Catalonia’s Health Channel:
- Wash your hands often (washing with soap and water or alcohol-based solutions), particularly after being in direct contact with people who are ill or with their surroundings.
For more information on hand hygiene, see:- Washing your hands with soap [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Cleaning your hands with alcohol preparations [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Keep a safety distance of 2 meters between people and avoid crowding.
- When coughing or sneezing, cover your nose and mouth with the inside of your elbow or with a disposable tissue that must be discarded immediately, and then wash your hands.
- Avoid sharing food or utensils (such as cutlery, glasses, napkins and handkerchiefs) or other items if they have not been properly cleaned.
- You should not touch your mouth, nose or eyes after handling any objects, particularly in public places, without first washing your hands.
- We must protect in particular the people in the highest risk groups: the elderly and people with chronic diseases.
- Use the healthcare system responsibly and only go to healthcare facilities if strictly necessary.
- For general information on the health system, call 012.
- It is possible to consult and carry out procedures through the digital space of personal health ‘La Meva Salut’.
- You can call the primary care team for any queries, except on weekends when you have to call 061.
- For serious and life-threatening emergencies, you can call 112.
- Follow the indications of social isolation.
You can find more information on the Government of Catalonia’s Health Channel:
- Les mesures de prevenció són molt més importants durant el desconfinament [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Quan facis trobades familiars i amb amics, recorda seguir les mesures de prevenció [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Queda amb els amics, però que corri l’aire! [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Recomanacions a l’hora d’anar a la platja [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Protegim la gent gran [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Detecció precoç de casos sospitosos de COVID-19 [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Com evitem un rebrot? [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Com sabré si soc un contacte estret d’un cas positiu i què he de fer? [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Recomanacions per a persones de grups de risc [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Usem de forma responsable els recursos sanitaris [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Fes gestions de forma no presencial amb el sistema sanitari. Queda’t a casa [PDF] [in Catalan]
The use of masks is vital for healthcare and social care professionals, also for people who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and their caregivers.
For the general population the use of masks is mandatory, for people aged 6 and over, in any open or closed space for public use, where it is not possible to maintain the physical safety distance of 2 meters between people, and in public transport. For children from 3 to 5 years it is recommended.
- Canal Salut: Ús obligatori de mascaretes [in Catalan]
Regarding the use of gloves, the new coronavirus can survive on the surface from a few hours to nine days. If a person wears gloves and touches a surface with viruses, they can also survive on the gloves and people could acquire the infection by touching their nose, mouth or eyes with the gloves. Furthermore, the use of gloves gives a false sense of security; people can forget the fundamental recommendation of renting out their hands often with water and soap.
The most effective measures for preventing infection are those set out above. Health professionals will indicate their use in those situations where it is considered necessary.
People with COVID-19 compatible symptoms are considered possible cases. They should stay home and isolate themselves and should contact their primary care team, except on weekends when they have to call 061. The healthcare professionals will decide what action to take and give you instructions.
- Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who only have mild symptoms – this is the majority of patients – can recover self-isolating at home in accordance with the guidelines recommended by their primary care team, except on weekends when you have to call 061; also through eConsulta using the digital space of personal health ‘La Meva Salut’
- In case your symptoms worsen or you have a real feeling of severity, you should call 112.
- Track and monitor your symptoms through the STOP COVID19 application. The health system will monitor you case based on the date sent by the application and, if necessary, will activate the emergency medical services. It will also allow to carry out the epidemiological control of the pandemic in the territory.
You can find more information on the Government of Catalonia’s Health Channel:
- Detecció precoç de casos sospitosos de COVID-19 [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Com evitem un rebrot? [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Com sabré si soc un contacte estret d’un cas positiu i què he de fer? [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Usem de forma responsable els recursos sanitaris [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Fes el seguiment i vigilància dels teus símptomes a través de l’aplicació STOP COVID-19 [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Preguntes freqüents sobre l’accés als centres sanitaris i circumstàncies personals de risc de contagi [PDF] [in Catalan]
Close contact is considered to be any person who has been caring for a likely or confirmed case of COVID-19 who presented symptoms, or any person who has been in the same place, 15 minuts or more, without protections, at a distance of less than 2 meters of someone with likely or confirmed COVID-19, within 48 hours before of the onset of symptoms until the time of diagnosis.
- People who have had “close contact” with a case of COVID-19 will be indicated home quarantine for 14 days. If you have symptoms during this period, you must follow the home isolation measures and contact your primary care team, except on weekends when you have to call 061.
- Track and monitor your symptoms through the STOP COVID19 application. The health system will monitor you case based on the date sent by the application and, if necessary, will activate the emergency medical services. It will also allow to carry out the epidemiological control of the pandemic in the territory.
You can find more information on the Government of Catalonia’s Health Channel:
- Com sabré si soc un contacte estret d’un cas positiu i què he de fer? [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Usem de forma responsable els recursos sanitaris [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Fes el seguiment i vigilància dels teus símptomes a través de l’aplicació STOP COVID-19 [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Preguntes freqüents sobre l’accés als centres sanitaris i circumstàncies personals de risc de contagi [PDF] [in Catalan]
- 5 consells per a un confinament saludable [PDF] [in Catalan]
Both people with mild symptoms compatible with COVID-19, and the close contacts of these people with whom they live, should isolate themselves from other people and take the measures indicated by healthcare professionals. The main aim of self-isolation measures is to keep the virus isolated and prevent it from spreading.
It is the healthcare professionals who will decide, by assessing the clinical criteria and the circumstances of the healthcare and social environment, whether a person is suitable for self-isolation at home. Healthcare professionals will monitor and remain in contact with the infected person.
The conditions of the house must allow the isolation of the person in a well-ventilated room and, if possible, the availability of a proper bath. Both personal hygiene and the cleaning of the house are very important. Cleaners must protect themselves with a mask and gloves, and wash their hands when finished.
The isolated person has to be available for the necessary medical evaluations, and both the person and his/her companions have to be able to apply correctly and consistently the basic measures of hygiene, prevention and control of the infection. Health services will provide all the necessary indications.
You can find more information on the Government of Catalonia’s Health Channel:
- Instruccions per a persones amb COVID-19 en aïllament domiciliari [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Consells per a persones que estan en aïllament domiciliari [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Usem de forma responsable els recursos sanitaris [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Fes gestions de forma no presencial amb el sistema sanitari. Queda’t a casa [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Pla de medicació [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Fes el seguiment i vigilància dels teus símptomes a través de l’aplicació STOP COVID-19 [PDF] [in Catalan]
The COVID-19 pandemic led to Spain’s declaration of the State of Emergency and a general lockdown since 14 March, followed by a progressive plan to gradually return to normal, ensuring the protection of public health, aiming to avoid a possible resurgence of cases, protect the most vulnerable people, and ensure proper monitoring of those affected and their contacts.
After passing through the various stages of the COVID-19 lockdown exit, Barcelona will be joining the new normal. This new period involves a gradual resumption of the usual activities while the necessary prevention and health measures are maintained.
It is important to remember that the virus is still active and that it is necessary to be cautious, respect the prevention measures and follow the recommendations of hygiene and physical distance.
You can find more information of the phases in Barcelona on:
You can find more information on the Government of Catalonia’s Health Channel:
Very little data is available on pregnant women with COVID-19, but it seems that they are not more susceptible to coronavirus infection and they are not considered a risk group.
Pregnant women with COVID-19 may be at higher risk for severe illness, morbidity or mortality as compared to the general population, as has been seen in other coronavirus infections and other viral respiratory infections during pregnancy, such as the flu.
There is no evidence and it is not known whether a pregnant woman with COVID-19 can transmit the virus before, during or after delivery.
Regarding breastfeeding, although there is not enough data to make a strong recommendation on breastfeeding for women with COVID-19, it is important to insist that breastfeeding has many benefits, such as the potential passage of moocher-child antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. For this reason, and in view of the current evidence, it is recommended maintaining breastfeeding from the moment of birth, as long as the clinical conditions of the newborn and the mother allow it.
You can find more information on the Government of Catalonia’s Health Channel:
- El coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 i les dones embarassades [PDF] [in Catalan]
- Informació per a dones embarassades i les seves famílies [PDF] [in Catalan]
No special precautions to avoid infection need to be taken with food in Catalonia. According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), there is currently no evidence to suggest that food is a likely route of transmission or source of the virus.
In the context of measures to contain the transmission of COVID-19, the recommendation for food companies and food sector establishments open to the public is to follow the general food safety standards and measures of containment, that require strengthening the cleaning and disinfection programs of companies. Similarly, the citizens must reinforce the measures of food safety and the standards of prevention to contain the spread of the virus.
You can find more information at the Catalan Food Safety Agency:
- Seguretat Alimentària i COVID-19 [in Catalan]
There is currently no scientific evidence that pets can transmit COVID-19 to humans, although there is a possibility that some animal species may become infected through close contact with infected people.
Dogs, cats and ferrets in contact with infected humans have tested positive for COVID-19. However, there is no evidence that these animals can transmit the disease to people and spread the virus.
Although several animal species have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, these infections do not a driver of the pandemic. The current spread of COVID-19 is the result of human to human transmission.
It should also be noted that animals can be passive carriers of viral particles (on their skin, in their nose). This situation could happen if a pet is exposed to the virus by people with COVID-19, so complying with prevention measures will be important:
- Washing hands before and after touching pets, their food and toys.
- Avoid kissing them, letting them lick us or sharing food.
- It is recommended that people with COVID-19 limit their contact with animals.
You can find more information on the Government of Catalonia’s Health Channel:
- Informació i recomanacions per als propietaris dels animals de companyia [PDF] [In Catalan]
You can find more information on the following links:
You can find more information on the Government of Catalonia’s Health Channel:
- Informació per a professionals [in Catalan]
You can find more information at the Spanish Ministry of Health:
- Documentos técnicos para profesionales [in Spanish]
There is a lot of misinformation on the internet and social media that promotes fear.
You will find quality, up-to-date information on the following links:
Thanks to the collaboration of citizens, public institutions have offered different ways of collaboration so that all the people, companies and entities that have offered their collaboration can do so efficiently.
You can find information about collaborations on the following links: