CORONA VIRUS
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered
coronavirus.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate
respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and
those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to
develop serious illness.
The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from
the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also
practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).
The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the
COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others
from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and
not touching your face.
The incubation period for COVID-19, which is the time between exposure to the virus
(becoming infected) and symptom onset, is on average 5-6 days, however can be up to 14 days.
The COVID-19 virus affects different people in different ways.
COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and most infected people will develop mild to
moderate symptoms and recover without requiring special treatment. People who have
underlying medical conditions and those over 60 years old have a higher risk of
developing severe disease and death.
Common symptoms include:
- fever
- tiredness
- dry cough.
Other symptoms include:
- shortness of breath
- aches and pains
- sore throat
- and very few people will report diarrhoea, nausea or a runny nose.