Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

What is Coronavirus-COVID-19 ?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses – some cause illness in people, and others only infect animals.

Some coronaviruses infect animals then spread to people, and then spread person to person such as:

• Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Common coronaviruses include some that cause mild upper-respiratory illnesses, like the common cold.

  

What is Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) ?

Coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is a new coronavirus first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

Initial case-patients reported visiting a large seafood and live animal market in Wuhan.

How Does Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Spread?

COVID-19 spreads the same way the flu and other respiratory diseases spread:

• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).

What are the Symptoms of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)?

Symptoms of COVID-19 are:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Symptoms appear 2 to 14 days after exposure. The average incubation period of COVID-19 is reported to be about 5 days.

Eighty percent of patients with confirmed COVID-19 have mild symptoms.

In very severe cases, patients with COVID-19 have developed pneumonia in both lungs. In some cases, COVID-19 can be fatal.

How Can COVID-19 Infection be Prevented?

Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds – use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Stay home if you’re sick.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Get a flu shot!  A flu shot won’t protect against COVID-19, but if you do get the flu, your symptoms will be less severe, easing the burden on health care facilities.

How Can COVID-19 Infection be Prevented?

• Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects daily (e.g., tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, cabinet handles) using regular household cleaning products and water.
• Clean your electronic devices (phones, tablets, laptops, keyboards) with approved wipes or cleaning products.l
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products.

Preparing Your Household for a COVID-19 Outbreak

• Keep an adequate supply of water, food and pet food in your home.
• If you take prescription drugs, contact your health care provider about keeping an emergency supply at home.
• Meet with family, relatives, and friends to discuss possible needs in the event of an infectious disease outbreak.
• Join neighborhood info web pages or emails.
• Plan ways to care for people at higher risk – the very young, older people, people with chronic diseases or compromised immune systems.
• Choose a room in your home that could be used to separate family members who become sick.
• Create an emergency contact list of family members, friends, neighbors, health care providers, teachers, employers and others.
• Keep a working thermometer and medications, like decongestants, expectorants and ibuprofen or acetaminophen on hand.
• Know the preparedness plans of your children’s childcare, schools and/or colleges.
• Plan for childcare should schools temporarily close.
• Ask about your employers’ preparedness plans, including sick-leave policies and telework options.

Please read more :World Health Organization