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1. What is the Coronavirus Disease?

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new respiratory disease that can spread from person-to-person. It was first identified in Wuhan, China. The virus that causes the disease, COVID-19, has been named SARS CoV 2.

2. Why is the disease being called Coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19?

There are many types of human coronaviruses. Four kinds of coronavirus circulate on a seasonal basis causing common cold symptoms. COVID-19 is a new disease caused by a new (or novel) coronavirus (SARS CoV 2) that has not previously been seen in humans. The name of this disease was selected following the World Health Organization (WHO) best practices for naming new human infectious diseases.

3. How does it spread?

Taken from CDC COVID-19 COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Transmission is thought to occur the following ways:

• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
• 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 inhaled into the lungs.
• It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

4. What are the symptoms?

Symptoms range from mild to severe and show 2 to 14 days after exposure. The most common symptoms are fever greater than 100.4 Fahrenheit, dry cough, muscle aches and fatigue, and shortness of breath.

5. Can someone spread the virus without being sick?

• People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).
• Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.