Information about the Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19, short for “coronavirus disease 2019,” is the official name given by the World Health Organization to the disease caused by the newly identified coronavirus in 2019.
How many people have COVID-19?
The numbers are changing rapidly as the virus spreads more.
The most-up-to date information is available from the World Health Organization and Johns Hopkins University
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Some people infected with the virus have no symptoms.
When the virus does cause symptoms, common ones include:
- Fever
- Body ache
- Dry cough
- Fatigue
- Chills
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of Smell
How does coronavirus spread?
The coronavirus is thought to mainly spread from person to person. This can happen between people who are in close contact with one another.
Droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes may land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby, or possibly be inhaled into their lungs.
A person infected with coronavirus -even with no symptoms- may emit aerosols when they talk or breathe. These are infectious viral particles that can float or drift around in the air for up to three hours. Another person can breathe in there aerosols and become infected.
Coronavirus can also spread from contact with infected surfaces or objects. For example, a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.
A person infected with coronavirus -even with no symptoms- may emit aerosols when they talk or breathe. These are infectious viral particles that can float or drift around in the air for up to three hours. Another person can breathe in there aerosols and become infected.
Coronavirus can also spread from contact with infected surfaces or objects. For example, a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.
How to Protect yourself and Others
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, everyone should:
- Clean your hands often, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Put distance between yourself and other people (at least 2 meters or 6 feet).
- Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces daily.