Coronaviruses are zoonotic viruses (viruses that affect animals but can be transmitted to humans). When transmitted to humans, they can lead to illness ranging from mild cold symptoms to severe illness.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by an emerging strain of coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) that had not been previously identified in humans.
( 31 December 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) was notified of an outbreak of respiratory illness of unknown cause in Wuhan, China.
On 7 January 2020, the causative agent was identified to be a novel coronavirus, SARS CoV-2. Following rapid spread of the virus to other countries, the Director-General of WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency of International concern, and, on I l March 2020, the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID 19) rev eived the status of a pandemic (an epidemic of global scale).
“Corona” means
“crown” in Italian. The virus is named corona because it looks like a crown under electron microscopy
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Fever, Myalgia, Sore throat, Cough,
Malaise, Difficulty in breathing
COVID-19 Suspected case:
Any person (including severely ill clients) presenting with fever, cough or difficulty in
breathing AND who within 14 days before the onset of illness had any of the tollowing
exposures:
- History of travel to and more than 24 hours transit through any high-risk country or
state with widespread community transmission of COVID-19 - Close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 OR
- Exposure to a healthcare facility where COVID-19 case(s) have been reported
COVID-19 Probable case: Any suspect case:
- For whom testing for COVID-19 shows Indeterminate (inconclusive) results OR
- For whom testing was positive on a pan-coronavirus assay OR
- Who dies before samples can be collected from him /her
COVID-19 Confirmed case: Any person with laboratory confirmation of COVID-19
infection with or without signs and symptoms
