Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and
recover without requiring special treatment. However, some will become seriously ill and
require medical attention. Older people and those with underlying medical conditions like
cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, or cancer are more likely to
develop serious illness. Anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill or die at
any age.

The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the disease
and how the virus spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by staying at least 1 metre
apart from others, wearing a properly fitted mask, and washing your hands or using an alcohol-
based rub frequently. Get vaccinated when it’s your turn and follow local guidance.

The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when
they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe. These particles range from larger respiratory
droplets to smaller aerosols. It is important to practice respiratory etiquette, for example by
coughing into a flexed elbow, and to stay home and self-isolate until you recover if you feel
unwell.

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December 2019, the world was shocked with an outbreak of a respiratory virus in the city of
Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei province of the republic of China, recently known as the novel
coronavirus or COVID-19. This virus belongs to a group of coronavirus that can infect human.
The virus spread so rapidly that it has become a worldwide pandemic within only two months.
The name “Coronavirus” is given to this group of viruses based on their appearance under a
microscope. The word “Corona (the Latin of “Crown”)” is chosen because their appearance is
similar to a solar corona with spikes around their outer membrane which makes it look like an
actual crown especially with their spherical shape. Their size is around 120 nm (nanometer).
There isn’t any way for us yet to tell the actual color of a coronavirus since no official site
released the information up to this moment. But, you may find some pictures on the internet
where it is colored red or yellow. This virus affects differently toward different people. Some
may develop mild to moderate symptoms which may not required special treatment from the
paramedic and some may not even be affected at all although they are already exposed to the
virus. Usually, this happens to people with strong immunity system. But, the effect can also be
severe which might ends with death. There are several signs that we can use to tell when
someone is infected by COVID-19. These symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath,
tiredness, sore throat, even diarrhea and runny nose.