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COVID-19 : What is COVID-19?

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. It was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan, China.

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most common symptoms are fever, dry cough and tiredness. For older people, kids and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illnesses. Serious symptoms are difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure and loss of speech or movement.

Coronavirus is primarily transmitted between people respiratory droplets and contact routes. Droplet transmission occurs when a person is in close contact with someone who has symptoms and is therefore at risk of having his/her mouth and nose are exposed to potentially respiratory droplets. Transmission may also occur in the immediate environment around the infected person.

There are some prevention steps advised by the World Health Organization (WHO) to slow the transmission of COVID-19,

Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub.
Maintain at least 1-meter distance between you and people coughing or sneezing.
Avoid touching your face.
Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.
Stay at home if you feel unwell.
Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.
Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.

Always practice clean personal hygiene and immediately seek medical attention if you have symptoms and feel unwell.