COVID-19

All you need to know about the Coronavirus

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China in December 2019, so there is very little information about it.

It is a new and evolving strain of the coronavirus that is spreading rapidly across the globe and has been classified as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). COVID-19 symptoms are very similar to that of the common cold and may include a runny nose, cough, sore throat, possibly a headache and maybe a fever. The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).

Everyone is at risk of infection. It is important to stay informed, to practice the necessary health hygiene measures, and to adhere to the advice given by authorities and healthcare practitioners.

In an effort to flatten the curve of COVID-19 and keep you fully informedthe Department Of Health has developed an extensive online resource and news portal. Go to www.sacoronavirus.co.za for more information.