Coronavirus
What is Coronavirus?
Coronavirus is a family of viruses that cause respiratory and intestinal illnesses in humans and animals. They usually cause mild colds in people but the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic in China in 2002–2003 and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) on the Arabian Peninsula in 2012 show they can also cause severe disease. Since December 2019, the world has been battling another coronavirus. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus responsible for the current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which was first identified in Wuhan, China, following reports of serious pneumonia.
How is it spread?
Current evidence suggests that 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 in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe. Another person can then contract the virus when infectious particles that pass through the air are inhaled at short range (this is often called short-range aerosol or short-range airborne transmission) or if infectious particles come into direct contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth (droplet transmission)
The virus can also spread in poorly ventilated and/or crowded 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 (this is often called long-range aerosol or long-range airborne transmission).People may also become infected when touching their eyes, nose or mouth after touching surfaces or objects that have been contaminated by the virus.
Symptoms of Coronavirus
A high temperature or shivering (chills)
A new, continuous cough
A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
Shortness of breath
Feeling tired or exhausted
An aching body
Protecting others
Get tested
Get vaccinated
Hand hygiene
Wear a face covering
Ventilation
Regularly clean surfaces you have touched
Let people who come into your home know you have tested positive
A headache
A sore throat
A blocked or runny nose
Loss of appetite
Diarrhoea
Feeling sick or being sick
For more information visit the GOV website below
