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Coronavirus refers to a group of widespread viruses. The name refers to the specific morphology of these viruses because their spikes look like a crown under an electron microscope. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered crown-shaped virus. Human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus is through coughing, sneezing, discharge from the nose and mouth. The virus can be transmitted from 1 to 2 meters through coughing or sneezing. Another way of transmission is by hand contact with the environment and virus-infected surfaces. Various substances are used to disinfect the body and surfaces. However, improper and unsafe use of these disinfectants can lead to other toxic effects in people that can be far more dangerous than the virus itself.

This short paper reports on the Austrian experiences with the Corona pandemic in the first quarter of 2020. In the beginning Austrian experts neglected the threat but a cluster in a skiing resort including international visitors served as a wake-up call and quickly after that strict and successful measures were applied. The paper proceeds describing the development of SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing and upgrading of testing facilities in Austria. The Austrian Agency for Health & Food Safety (AGES) played a leading role in this process. International cooperation and information exchange were fundamental to the successful implementation of specific and sensitive laboratory methods.

The Medical University of Karakalpakstan in Nukus, Uzbekistan, as host, in collaboration with the Medical University of Vienna, Austria, and the Saint-Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University from Russia, in May 2020 organized an online seminar with the title “COVID-19 – sharing experiences of Medical Universities”. Indeed the pandemic has hit many countries throughout the world with unexpected force and healthcare systems often were not prepared. That experience clearly showed the need for international cooperation and coordination. It was a sad observation that instead often mistrust and national egoism prevailed.

The advent of a new Corona virus, SARS-CoVi-2, causing COVID-19, which first began in Wuhan, China, and then spread worldwide, has created a global public health crisis [1]. The sudden and far-reaching pandemic has raised many immediate questions. A very important goal of public health is to identify environmental factors that affect the spread and severity of the disease. Air pollution is one of the most well-known causes of long-term inflammation, which ultimately leads to increased immune system hyperactivity [2]. Air pollution is one of the leading causes of death and is estimated to play a role in nearly 5 million premature deaths worldwide in 2017 alone. Numerous scientific studies have linked air pollution to a variety of health concerns, including premature death in patients with heart or lung disease, non-fatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeats, and severe asthma [3].