Test accordian FAQs
About COVID-19
A: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new virus. Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses, with six of these viruses known to cause a range of illnesses from the common cold to the more serious Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. COVID-19 is now a pandemic affecting most countries globally.
A: The virus is spread from person to person through respiratory droplets, which are released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. A person can get infected if they inhale these droplets or if they touch a surface or object (like a door handle or table) that has the virus on it and then touch their mouth, nose or eyes. Generally, the virus is spread when a person is in close contact with an infected person.
There have been reported outbreaks of COVID-19 in some closed settings, such as restaurants, nightclubs, places of worship or places of work where people may be shouting, talking, or singing. In these outbreaks, aerosol transmission, particularly in these indoor locations where there are crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces where infected persons spend long periods of time with others, cannot be ruled out.
A: The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are:
fever, dry cough, difficulty breathing, fatigue (extreme tiredness), sore throat
Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, or diarrhea.
Most people experience mild, flu-like symptoms. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing hospital treatment. Around one out of every five people who get COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.
A: The incubation period is the time between infection and the onset of clinical symptoms of the disease. The incubation period for COVID-19 is currently estimated at between one to 14 days, though symptoms typically start around five to six days after a person is infected with the virus.
While people are most infectious when they experience (flu-like) symptoms, it may be possible that people can transmit the virus without having any symptoms or before the symptoms appear. However, investigations are ongoing to determine this.
If people infected with COVID-19 are tested and diagnosed quickly and there is a rapid public health response undertaken to reduce the spread of the virus, the chance of further continued spread of the virus in a community is likely to be low.
A: Like other respiratory illnesses, infection with COVID-19 can cause mild symptoms including a runny nose, sore throat, cough, and fever. For some people, it can be more severe and can lead to pneumonia or breathing difficulties. More rarely, the disease can be fatal. Older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as diabetes and heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.
Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing hospital treatment. Around one out of every five people who get COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing.
A: If you are sick and think you have symptoms of COVID-19, Call 158, the COVID-19 Call Centre. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is free of charge, or visit your nearest fever clinic. For more information on clinics go to Fever Clinics tab below.
Avoid crowds or traveling on public transport, to help prevent the spread of the virus.
A: A person with COVID-19 anywhere in the world is a risk everywhere in the world. Until there is an effective vaccine or treatment for COVID, we must stay alert and adapt to a new way of living. Illness due to COVID-19 infection is generally mild, especially for children and young adults. However, it can cause serious illness: about 1 in every 5 people who catch it need hospital care. It is therefore quite normal for people to worry about how the COVID-19 outbreak will affect them and their loved ones. We can channel our concerns into actions to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities. Firstly, among these actions is regular and thorough hand-washing and good respiratory hygiene. Secondly, keep informed and follow the advice of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services including any restrictions put in place on travel, movement, and gatherings.
A: Everyone is at risk of catching COVID-19, but people who are most at risk of suffering serious illness are people over 60 years of age, and people with underlying medical problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, high blood pressure, heart and lung problems, or cancer.
However, anyone can catch COVID-19 and become seriously ill.
A: Studies to date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air. However, there have been reported outbreaks of COVID-19 in some closed settings, such as restaurants, nightclubs, places of worship or places of work where people may be shouting, talking, or singing. In these outbreaks, aerosol transmission, particularly in these indoor locations where there are crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces where infected persons spend long periods of time with others, cannot be ruled out.
This is why it is always important to stay at least 1.5 metres from others, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze with a bent elbow or tissue, avoid crowds, and limit your time in enclosed public spaces.
A: The most important thing to know about coronavirus on surfaces is that they can easily be cleaned with common household disinfectants that will kill the virus. A 1:10 dilution of household bleach is an effective cleaning agent. Studies have shown that the coronavirus can survive for up to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel, less than 4 hours on copper, and less than 24 hours on cardboard.
Regularly clean surfaces and objects that are frequently touched, using a disinfectant. Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.
A: Yes, infected people can transmit the virus both when they have symptoms, and when they don’t have symptoms. This is why it is important that all people who are infected are identified by testing, isolated, and, depending on the severity of their disease, receive medical care. Even people confirmed to have COVID-19 but who do not have symptoms should be isolated to limit their contact with others. These measures break chains of transmission.
This is why it is always important to stay at least 1.5 metres from others, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze with a bent elbow or tissue, clean your hands regularly, avoid crowds, limit your time in enclosed public spaces, and stay home if you become unwell or if asked.
A: The risk of catching COVID-19 from the faeces of an infected person appears to be low. While initial investigations suggest the virus may be present in faeces in some cases, spread through this route is not a main feature of the outbreak. WHO is assessing ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share new findings. Because this is a risk, however, it is another reason to clean hands regularly, after using the bathroom and before eating.
A: COVID-19 is mainly spread through droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. There is no evidence that the virus can spread to people from the skin, fur, or hair of pets. A small number of pets worldwide, including cats and dogs, have been reported to be infected with the virus, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently and thoroughly after handling animals, their food or supplies, as well as avoiding kissing, licking or sharing food. WHO continues to monitor the latest research on this and other COVID-19 topics and will update as new findings are available.
A: To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat COVID-19. However, those infected with COVID-19 should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimized supportive care. Supportive care (e.g. supportive therapy and monitoring – oxygen therapy, fluid management, and antivirals) can be highly effective for those infected.
It is not clear whether people who have had COVID-19 have immunity from getting it again. There is no evidence that those who have antibodies are prevented from a second infection.