What is coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause respiratory infections. These can range from the common cold to more serious diseases.
COVID-19 is the disease caused by a new coronavirus. It was first reported in December 2019 in Wuhan City in China.
Other coronaviruses include Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
How does coronavirus (COVID-19) spread?
Because it's a new illness, we do not know exactly how coronavirus spreads from person to person.
Similar viruses are spread in cough droplets.
It's very unlikely it can be spread through things like packages or food.
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DO wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds always wash your hands when you get home or into work use alcohol based hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell be prepared to self isolate plan ahead use health services wisely stay up-to-date using information from IOM Government |
DON'Ttouch your eyes, nose or mouth
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Is there any treatment?
- There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus
- Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses
- Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms while your body fights the illness
- You'll need to stay in isolation, away from other people, until you have recovered