What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a disease caused by the “novel corona virus”.

Novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a large family of viruses that causes illnesses ranging from common cold to acute respiratory syndromes. The virus has emerged from a seafood and animal market in China’s Wuhan.

Common symptoms are:

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Breathing difficulty

Coronavirus infection is similar to a common cold and typically affects the upper respiratory tract. Symptoms include sore throat, mild headache and fever, cough and cold, shortness of breath, vomiting and diarrhea.

Some patients also have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or
diarrhoea.  About 80% of confirmed cases recover from the disease without any serious complications. However, one out of every six people who gets COVID-19 can become
seriously ill* and develop difficulty in breathing. In more severe cases, infection can cause severe pneumonia and other complications which can be treated only at higher level facilities (District Hospitals and above). In a few cases it may even cause death.

SUMMARY OF COVID-19 Corona Virus

• A pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan, China was first reported to the WHO Country Office in China on 31 December 2019.

• WHO is working 24/7 to analyse data, provide advice, coordinate with partners, help countries prepare, increase supplies and manage expert networks.

• The outbreak was declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30 January 2020.

• The international community has asked for US$675 million to help protect states with weaker health systems as part of its Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan.

• On 11 February 2020, WHO announced a name for the new coronavirus disease: COVID-19.