What is the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its symptoms?
COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-COV-2 virus; a coronavirus similar to the one that caused the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in 2002-2004. Coronaviruses usually infect both humans and animals. It causes respiratory infections such as the common cold, tonsillitis, some types of influenza, etc.

COVID-19 was discovered in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Although its origins are not yet identified, it is believed that it came from animals.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever (> 38°C), dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients also reported aches and pains, runny/stuffed nose, sore throat, and diarrhea. However, some confirmed cases did not show any symptoms before confirming to have contracted the virus.

Pregnant women, children, the elderly, and people with a compromised immune system or with co-morbidities are the most at risk of contracting the virus.

For more information, you may read our special A Slice of Orange issue on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus or watch this video from the World Health Organization.