Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease has since spread worldwide, leading to an ongoing pandemic.
When people breathe in air contaminated by droplets and small airborne particles containing the virus. The risk of breathing these in is at its peak when people were in close proximity, but they can be inhaled over longer distances, particularly indoors. Transmission can occur if sprayed with contaminated fluids in the eyes, nose or mouth, and, rarely, via contaminated surfaces. People will remain contagious for 20 days, and can spread the virus even if they do not develop symptoms.
Several testing methods have been developed to diagnose the disease. The standard diagnostic method is by detection of the virus's nucleic acid by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), transcription-mediated amplification (TMA), or by reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) from a nasopharyngeal swab. Public health information
Protect yourself and others around you by knowing the facts and taking appropriate precautions. Follow advice provided by your local health authority.
Check with your local health authority for the most relevant guidance for your region.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19:
Maintain a safe distance from others (at least 1 meter), even if they don’t appear to be sick.
Wear a mask in public, especially indoors or when physical distancing is not possible.
Choose open, well-ventilated spaces over closed ones. Open a window if indoors.
Clean your hands often. Use soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand rub.
Get vaccinated when it’s your turn. Follow local guidance about vaccination.
Cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Stay home if you feel unwell.
If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention. Call in advance so your healthcare provider can direct you to the right health facility. This protects you, and prevents the spread of viruses and other infections.
Masks
Properly fitted masks can help prevent the spread of the virus from the person wearing the mask to others. Masks alone do not protect against COVID-19, and should be combined with physical distancing and hand hygiene. Follow the advice provided by your local health authority.
When Should I Call the Doctor?
If the person you're caring for seems to be getting sicker, call your doctor right away. Tell the doctor about their symptoms and whether they've been tested for COVID-19.
If they need to go to the doctor:
The person should wear a mask.
Keep tissues handy in case they need to cough or sneeze.
Go to the emergency room or call 911 if the person has trouble breathing, is confused, or is very drowsy.
What Else Should I Know?
If you're caring for someone who has COVID-19 or who has symptoms, keep taking these precautions until your doctor or local health department say it's safe to stop doing so. Also tell other people who may have been in close contact with the person who is infected. They can speak with their doctor or local health department about getting tested or quarantining.
The guidelines for how long to quarantine or isolate may differ from country to country, or may change over time as the virus changes or there’s new information about how it spreads. The CDC recently updated its recommendations for quarantine and isolation, but how and where they’re applied might vary.
To get the most updated and relevant information for your family, call your doctor’s office, your child’s school district, or your local health department. The CDC can help you find the health department in your area.
What are the precautions for covid-19
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