Updated information on the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus

With regard to the current state of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, Instituto Hispánico de Murcia is adhering strictly to the instructions dictated by the Murcia and Spanish Ministries for Health and the Murcia Public Health Agency, and the generic measures of individual protection currently applicable to respiratory illnesses are maintained.

Instituto Hispánico is in constant contact with students and other members of the international community currently in affected areas or who have travelled recently from affected areas as part of different exchange or study abroad programmes with the objective of offering assessment, information and coordinate any actions that may need to be taken.

The most common symptoms of the virus include coughing, throat pain, fever and a lesser breathing capacity. In more severe cases it can cause pneumonia, difficulties breathing, kidney failure and even death. These cases generally occur among the older populations or those with underlying conditions such as heart disease, lung disease or immune system problems.

The Murcia Ministry for Health’s personal protection measures to prevent coronavirus infection are the same as those to prevent flu or any other similar acute respiratory infection:

• Frequent washing of hands, especially after direct contact with sick people or their environment
• Avoiding close contact with people who show signs of a respiratory condition, such as coughing or sneezing
• Staying at least two metres away from people with symptoms of acute respiratory infection
• Covering one’s mouth and nose with tissues or the crook of the elbow when coughing or sneezing and washing one’s hands afterwards

As for our Spanish courses, they will be running until further notice. There is a small risk as there are less than 10 students per room, but if the worst comes to the worst and we are forced to close our school, all lessons will be provided online with the same teachers and timetables as scheduled.

The Murcia Health Service has enabled the free consultation telephone number for information on the coronavirus 900 121 212 (available from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.), you can also call 112 (24/7). More information on the Murcia Salud website.

Please be re responsible and act accordingly.

Thanks!