Coronavirus or COVID-19

COVID-19 was first detected in humans in China in late 2019. COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is the name of the disease that is caused by the coronavirus.

All measures to prevent the spreading of the coronavirus ended on 1 July 2023. COVID-19 is no longer a notifiable disease. There are no longer any restrictions for infected persons in daily life.

Infection and onset of the disease

The most frequent path of infection with the coronavirus is through the air in droplets and very small particles (aerosols) that contain the virus. Therefore, COVID-19 is called a droplet infection.

Aerosol particles are released during breathing and talking. Coughing and sneezing also produces droplets that can be widely distributed on object surfaces. Aerosols remain suspended in the air for longer, in particular in closed rooms.

Infection with the coronavirus by touching contaminated surfaces cannot be excluded. The incubation period, i.e. the time between infection and the first onset of symptoms, is three to four days for the Omicron variant. For other variants, such as Delta, the average incubation period is between five and six days.

Symptoms of COVID-19

An infection with the coronavirus can cause mild to severe symptoms or even no symptoms at all. Mild symptoms are very similar to those of a common cold.

The following symptoms can be a sign of COVID-19:

• Mucus and saliva
• Urine and faeces
• Body fluids like for example blood

What are the symptoms of the COVID-19 disease?

When persons are infected with already better-known coronaviruses, the course of the illness is usually mild and without symptoms. In case of the novel COVID-19 disease, too, there occur infections without symptoms or with a mild course and symptoms of a common cold. Indications of a severe infection with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 include for example:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Sudden loss of taste and smell
• Breathing difficulties, inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and pneumonia can be additional symptoms of a severe infection with the coronavirus.

At-risk groups

At-risk groups include persons over 60 years of age and persons of any age who have a pre-existing chronic condition. These persons are more likely to experience severe symptoms if infected with the coronavirus.

Manifestation of the disease and testing

If you show one or more of the above-mentioned symptoms, your general practitioner (Hausärztin/Hausarzt) can get you an antigen test and maybe even a PCR test to confirm the result.

As in all other cases, you get your sick note (Krankmeldung) from your general practitioner (Hausärztin/Hausarzt).

Antigen self-tests are no longer free of charge as at 1 July 2023. You can still get them at pharmacies but you have to pay for them.

Since 1 July 2023, free testing for the coronavirus is only available from your doctor as part of a medical treatment.

COVID-19 vaccination

Further information about the COVID-19 vaccination and other vaccinations: Impfservice Wien - Vienna vaccination service