About the Coronavirus
COVID-19


Updated 08 April 2021
 
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. 
 
The coronavirus is similar to the common influenza virus. Symptoms include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, similar to the common influenza virus, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. As contagious as the common influenza virus, coronavirus is transmitted via droplets (coughing or sneezing) and via contaminated surfaces.

Covid-19 questions with Dr Ulrike Sucher
Discover how the shift to working from home has influenced employees’ overall wellbeing.

Our customers are covered for treatment of COVID-19 until discharge from home or hospital for this acute event, subject to the terms and conditions, benefit limits and area of cover of the policy.
In most countries the vaccination against Covid-19 is only available via government funded programmes which provide the service free of charge. When Covid-19 vaccinations become available from private medical providers, for a fee, and are no longer solely provided by Governments, we will cover the cost of if:
  • The vaccination benefit is included in the customer’s policy
  • The vaccine has been fully developed, approved and licensed for use in the jurisdiction where it’s being requested
  • Cover for the vaccination is in line with Government policy in the country where it’s being administered
In relation to cover for treatment of Covid-19 and vaccination for Covid-19, please note that our terms and conditions, benefit limits and area of cover apply and costs must be reasonable and customary. Visit our FAQ to see our terms and conditions and to find out more. Cover is not provided if any element of the cover, benefit, activity, business or underlying business violates any applicable sanction law or regulations of the United Nations, the European Union or any other applicable economic or trade sanction law or regulations.
The 
WHO 
has shared some helpful information on how to reduce your risk of infection. Up to date information on the coronavirus outbreak including suggested precautions and travel advisory notices is available from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus.
  • Get the annual influenza vaccine as soon as possible
  • Observe all recommendations from local government
  • Avoid travelling to affected areas and consult the WHO travel restriction recommendations beforehand
  • If you live in an affected area, quarantine yourself at home for 14 days
  •  If you are returning from an affected area, quarantine yourself at home for 14 days
  • Watch out for symptoms such as a cough, fever and sore throat. Call your doctor if you experience these symptoms. Do not go to a hospital.

    CLICK HERE TO FIND A TREATMENT PROVIDER
     

All customers who have symptoms of fever and cough, and have consulted a doctor who prescribed a test, are fully covered for reasonable and customary costs for tests and treatments for COVID-19 infection and any resulting complications, within the limits of your policy. The invoice for the test should be accompanied by the medical prescription confirming suspicion of COVID-19 infection.

Subject to your policy, we will cover evacuations – like for other diseases – if the treatment is not available locally. We have identified Air Ambulance providers who have confirmed their capability to transport COVID-19 infected patients via a negative pressure “Bubble” which they install in the aircraft, protecting medical staff and flight personnel. However, it has to be noted that local governments might prohibit international Evacuation and insist on local treatment. This is outside of our control. Should no nearby country accept our evacuated infected member we would evacuate the member to their home country.

Any customers concerned about COVID-19 can contact Medi24, our 24/7 medical advice line. Staffed by an experienced medical team, Medi-24 provides advice in English, German, French and Italian on +41 (0) 31 337 05 01.


Dr. Ulrike Sucher, Medical Director

Vaccines are an effective way to protect people from serious preventable diseases. They stimulate our body to build immunity/resistance to a specific germ. There are currently many scientific labs working on a Covid-19 vaccine. Some are based on traditional methods for producing vaccines and others are using newer methods. Here are some of the most common vaccines that have become approved by several nations’ health committees:
vaccine Astra Zeneca
  • Technology: Viral Vector
  • Efficacy: 70% -90%
  • Licensing: Passed all 3 clinical trials
  • Doses required: 2
vaccine pfizer
  • Technology: mRNA
  • Efficacy: 95%
  • Licensing: Passed all 3 clinical trials
  • Doses required: 2
vaccine moderna
  • Technology: mRNA
  • Efficacy: 95%
  • Licensing: Passed all 3 clinical trials
  • Doses required: 2
vaccine sinovac
  • Technology: Inactivated virus
  • Efficacy: 50% -70%
  • Licensing: In phase 3 clinical trials in the general population
  • Doses required: 2
vaccine sputinik V
  • Technology: Viral Vector
  • Efficacy: 92%
  • Licensing: In phase 3 clinical trials in the general population 
  • Doses required: 2
vaccine J&J
  • Technology: Cold Virus Technology
  • Efficacy: 66%
  • Licensing: Passed all 3 clinical trials
  • Doses required: 1
Getting vaccinated can help you fight the virus if it infects your body and stop you from getting ill. As more and more people get vaccinated, this will help break the chain of infections.

This depends on each government’s health policies in terms of the allocation and prioritisation.  While waiting for the vaccine, please keep:

  • Washing your hands with soap and water
  • Avoiding close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms
  • Covering your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing, using a tissue or flexed elbow
  • Using your mask when appropriate
covid mask

Please remember to always wear your mask in public and when meeting someone who is not part of your own household. 
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Wellbeing platform login details

If you are already an Allianz Care customer you should have received your login details on the Health Matters email sent on the 27th of March 2020. If you haven't received it please contact your HR/Benefits department or [email protected].

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Teleconsultation from Medi24 in English, German, French or Italian +41 (0) 31 337 05 01 




 
 
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 World Health Organisation COVID-19 Q&A


Worldaware information center ALERT CENTRE
 

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If you are experiencing any health concern for which you would have sought medical attention prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, you still need to do so. Don’t Put It Off!


For cover related queries, call our dedicated helpline number on COVID-19 +353 76 670 1219