The Outbreak of Coronavirus and Travel Insurance

The coronavirus is spreading rapidly throughout China and the officials are working to control the outbreak of this new virus.

The coronavirus outbreak, which initially started in Wuhan, China, has by far killed more than 400 people besides leaving thousands more infected. The first case of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was reported on 31 December 2019.

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization has proclaimed the virus outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

Statistics Say!

In the below grid, shows the confirmed cases of coronavirus as reported by provinces, regions and cities in China.

Source: The data is as per the Surveillance report of World Health Organization, dated 11 February 2020.

What is Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses belong to a family of viruses that cause illness right from a common cold to severe disease, for example, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome.

However, the novel coronavirus is something, which has not been identified in the humans previously.

Check out the video for more details

Which are the Countries Impacted by the Outbreak of Coronavirus?

However, coronavirus originated in Wuhan, in China. There have been confirmed cases of the Coronavirus reported across the globe.

Below is the table, which contains the list of countries affected with coronavirus:

The World Health Organization has reported 45,171 cases of coronavirus and 1, 1195 demises most of them in China.

In case, if you or somebody you know have plans of travelling to China it is highly advisable to delay your travel plans if visiting China.

Most of the 50 airlines have either suspended or reduced the routes to and from China.  More than 25,000 flights have already been cancelled.

Besides, countries such as Singapore, the United States of America and Australia have likewise banned the entry all those non-citizens who recently travelled to China.

Below is the table, which consists of the list of countries/ continents, which have banned the airlines to and from China.

Spreading of Coronavirus

The coronavirus is spread from a contaminated individual to others through the air by hacking and sniffling, through close to home contact, for example, contacting or handshake.

It can also spread by contacting an article or surface with the virus on it before contacting your eyes, nose or mouth before washing your hands.

What Makes Coronavirus Dangerous?

Yes, coronavirus is dangerous.

Yes, you read it right.

It is dangerous as it contagious and it infects the respiratory system of a human body.

What are the Symptoms of a Coronavirus?

The following are the general symptoms of a person suffering from coronavirus:

• Fever
• Cough, which could lead to a state of pneumonia
• Difficulty in breathing
• If the case goes severe, it may also lead to kidney failure and even the demise of the individual.

Note: The incubation period remains unknown. However, it is believed that it could be between 10 to 14 days.

Is there any Vaccination to Fight Against Coronavirus?

It is sad but then at the present, there are absolutely no vaccines available to fight against this epidemic virus.

The best you can do is taking necessary preventions. As it is rightly said, prevention is better than cure.

What are the Precautions to be Taken Against the Coronavirus?

The following are the few safety measures, which should be adopted, in your daily life to avoid coming in contact with coronavirus, which are:

• Wash your hands properly with a hand wash for a minimum of 20 seconds.
• Do not touch your eyes, mouth or nose with unwashed hands.
• Practise respiratory hygiene wherein while you cough or sneeze cover your mouth and if using a tissue discard it immediately.
• Maintain a social distance of 1 to 3 metres while talking to people specifically if the other person is unwell.
• In case, if you fall sick, then stay at home and do not meet people. Besides, take medical help at the earliest. Do not delay.
• Maintain cleanliness at your home. Clean the surface/object with disinfectants.
• Do not consume raw or undercooked animal food.

Does Wearing a Facemask Protect from Coronavirus?

Well, in case, if you wear a regular surgical mask then definitely it is of no use.

Use a specialized masked like N95 respirator, which will protect against the coronavirus. Compared to a surgical mask the respirator mask is thicker.

However, it is a challenge to wear a mask continuously.

Will Having a Travel Insurance Cover Coronavirus?

The intent of buying travel insurance is to secure self from any kind of emergency that may lead to unwanted financial expenses.

It is recommended to buy comprehensive travel insurance as it provides cover against any medical-related emergencies and so on.

Having the right travel insurance is beneficial under the following circumstances:

• Trip Cancellation: In case of any emergency, at home, wherein you get sick, somebody from your family gets sick, or with whom you are travelling.
• Emergency Medical Coverage: While you are on the trip and you fall sick/ill and need to visit the hospital in the foreign land.
• Emergency Medical Evacuation: A medical emergency can occur anywhere at any point in time. In case if, you fall sick and need to return to your native country or reach the nearest hospital for the betterment of your health.
• Trip Interruption: If you fall sick and you need immediate attention and you cannot continue your trip further.

Therefore, whenever it comes to public health, these benefits of travel insurance policy will apply to your rescue.

Important- Not to Miss

The travel insurance providers will cover the coronavirus until the travel insurance policy was bought before the government declared the advisor of ‘Do not travel’ respectively.

Remember, if you plan to buy a travel insurance policy now, it will not be beneficial as the advisory is already in place if travelling to China.

Travel insurance covers you from any emergency and at this point, coronavirus is a medical emergency.

In case, if you bought the policy before the advisory the in all likelihood you will be covered. However, you need to contact your travel insurance provider for more details.

The Final Thoughts

Any unanticipated event can happen anywhere, anytime. Therefore, whenever you plan to travel internationally, buy a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

It is more than okay to spend a bit of money, buy a travel insurance policy, and secure yourself from potential devastation in terms of finances.

Your life is precious. You have only one life.

A trip can wait. You can plan for it the next time. There is always a next time.

Essential or not essential do not travel to China as of now.

Coronavirus is a serious illness and more than a growing problem.

Think and make the right choice!