• Coronaviruses 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). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans and is responsible for the current outbreak of COVID-19.
• Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning the are transmitted between animals and people. Research found the SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Currently investigations are ongoing to determine the mode of transmission of COVID-19.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. WHO first learned of this new virus on 31 December 2019, following a report of a cluster of cases of  ‘viral pneumonia’ in Wuhan, People’s Republic of China.

A pandemic is a worldwide spread of a new disease. Pandemics happen when a new virus emerges to infect people and can spread between people sustainably. Because there is little to no pre-existing immunity against the new virus, it spreads worldwide. On March 11, 2020 the Novel Coronavirus Disease, COVID-19, was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

• The virus spreads mainly between people who are in close contact with each other, for example at a conversational distance. The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe. Another person can then contract the virus when infectious particles in the air are inhaled at short range or if infectious particles come into direct contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth.
• The virus can also spread in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor settings, where people tend to spend longer periods of time. This is because aerosols can remain suspended in the air or travel farther than conversational distance.
• People may also become infected when touching their eyes, nose or mouth after touching surfaces or objects that have been contaminated by the virus.

• Follow local guidance:Check to see what national, regional and local authorities are advising so you have the most current information.
• Keep your distance: Stay at least 6 feet away from others, even if they don’t appear to be sick, since people can have the virus without having symptoms.
• Wear a mask: Wear a well-fitting three-layer mask, especially when you can’t physically distance, or if you’re indoors. Preferably and N95, KN95, or KN94. Clean your hands before putting on and taking off a mask. Learn more.
• Avoid crowded places, poorly ventilated, indoor locations and avoid prolonged contact with others. Spend more time outdoors than indoors.
• Ventilation is important: Open windows when indoors to increase the amount of outdoor air.
• Avoid touching surfaces, especially in public settings or health facilities, in case people infected with COVID-19 have touched them. Clean surfaces regularly with standard disinfectants.
• Frequently clean your hands with soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub. If you can, carry alcohol-based rub with you and use it often.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a bent elbow or tissue, throwing used tissues into a closed bin right away. Then wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand rub.
• Get vaccinated: When it’s your turn, get vaccinated. Follow local guidance and recommendations about vaccination.

The time from exposure to COVID-19 to the moment when symptoms begin is, on average, 5-6 days and can range from 1-14 days. This is why people who have been exposed to the virus are advised to remain at home and stay away from others, for 14 days, in order to prevent the spread of the virus, especially where testing is not easily available.

 The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are

• fever
• dry cough
• fatigue

Other symptoms that are less common and may affect some patients include:

• Loss of taste or smell,
• Nasal congestion,
• Conjunctivitis (also known as red eyes)
• Sore throat,
• Headache,
• Muscle or joint pain,
• Different types of skin rash,
• Nausea or vomiting,
• Diarrhea,
• Chills or dizziness.

Symptoms of severe COVID‐19 disease include:

• Shortness of breath,
• Loss of appetite,
• Confusion,
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest,
• High temperature (above 38 °C).

Other less common symptoms are:

• Irritability,
• Confusion,
• Reduced consciousness (sometimes associated with seizures),
• Anxiety,
• Depression,
• Sleep disorders,
• More severe and rare neurological complications such as strokes, brain inflammation, delirium and nerve damage.

People of all ages may experience fever and/or cough associated with difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, or loss of speech or movement and should seek medical care immediately. If possible, call your physician, hotline or health facility first, so you can be directed to the right healthcare facility.

If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you may become infected, even if you feel well. After exposure to someone who has COVID-19, do the following:

• Call your health care provider or COVID-19 hotline to find out where and when to get a test.
• Cooperate with contact-tracing procedures to stop the spread of the virus.
• If testing is not available, stay home and away from others for 14 days.
• While you are in quarantine, do not go to work, to school or to public places. Ask someone to bring you supplies.
• Keep at least a 6 feet distance from others, even from your family members.
• Wear a medical mask to protect others, including if/when you need to seek medical care.
• Clean your hands frequently.
• Stay in a separate room from other family members, and if not possible, wear a medical mask.
• Keep the room well-ventilated.
• If you share a room, place beds at least 6 feet apart.
• Monitor yourself for any symptoms for 14 days.
• Stay positive by keeping in touch with loved ones by phone or online, and by exercising at home.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why the CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and no longer pose a risk of infecting others.

How long someone is actively sick can vary so the decision on when to release someone from isolation is made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with doctors, infection prevention and control experts, and public health officials and involves considering specifics of each situation including disease severity, illness signs and symptoms, and results of laboratory testing for that patient.

Anyone with symptoms should be tested, wherever possible. People who do not have symptoms but have had close contact with someone who is, or may be, infected may also consider testing – contact your local health guidelines and follow their guidance.

While a person is waiting for test results, they should remain isolated from others. Where testing capacity is limited, tests should first be done for those at higher risk of infection, such as health workers, and those at higher risk of severe illness such as older people, especially those living in seniors’ residences or long-term care facilities.

COVID-19 testing differs by location. In most situations, a molecular test is used to detect SARS-CoV-2 and confirm infection. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the most commonly used molecular test. Samples are collected from the nose and/or throat with a swab. Molecular tests detect virus in the sample by amplifying viral genetic material to detectable levels. For this reason, a molecular test is used to confirm an active infection, usually within a few days of exposure and around the time that symptoms may begin.  If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and want to get tested, call your healthcare provider first or you can also visit your state or local health department’s website to look for the latest local information on testing.

Rapid antigen tests (sometimes known as a rapid diagnostic test – RDT) detect viral proteins (known as antigens). Samples are collected from the nose and/or throat with a swab. These tests are cheaper than PCR and will offer results more quickly, although they are generally less accurate. These tests perform best when there is more virus circulating in the community and when sampled from an individual during the time they are most infectious.

There is currently no antiviral treatment for COVID-19. Scientists around the world are working to find and develop treatments for COVID-19. Individuals who think they may have been exosed or have symptoms should contact a healthcare provider immediately. 

Antibiotics do not work against viruses; they only work on bacterial infections. COVID-19 is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not work. Antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment of COVID-19.