Two Georgians who came from China to be tested in Germany for new coronavirus

Two Georgian citizens who have come from China will be tested in Germany for the presence of the new coronavirus - 2019-nCov.

A 24-year-old man who worked in China and a woman who came from Wuhan, China, which is the epicenter of the new virus outbreak, have no signs of pneumonia [which is the major symptom of the new coronavirus] and have a low temperature. However, they have none of the viruses Georgia can test individuals for inside the country.

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Both have tested negative for about 20 of the most common viruses and infections.

Their blood will be sent to Germany, which is one of the three countries worldwide able to test blood for the new coronavirus, and we will know the answer in about two-three days,” head of Tbilisi hospital of infections Tengiz Tsertsvadze has stated earlier today.

Head of Tbilisi hospital of infections Tengiz Tsertsvadze says that the two patients, who are being treated at the hospital, are very unlikely to test positive for the new coronavirus. Photo: IPN. 

Tsertsvadze said that he, as “a very experienced specialist,” is almost sure that the two do not have the new coronavirus, based on their symptoms, but “we must make sure.”

He said that in most of the cases the new coronavirus causes pneumonia, which the two do not have. However, there are cases when the virus develops without it.

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Two Chinese minors, who are also being treated at the hospital, have tested positive for the A type virus, excluding the possibility of 2019-nCov.

• The new coronavirus, which first emerged in the city of Wuhan, China at the end of 2019 has already killed at least 213 in China and infected almost 10,000.
• The World Health Organisation declared the virus a global emergency and said there had been 98 cases in 18 other countries, but no deaths.
• The new coronavirus, which is thought to have emerged from illegally traded wildlife at a seafood market in Wuhan, can spread between people.
• The incubation period can range from two to 10 days. It causes severe acute respiratory infection and symptoms mostly start with a fever, followed by a dry cough.