What is a Coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). The current strain of Coronavirus infections is known as Covid-19.

How is the Coronavirus spread?
The new Coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose. To protect yourself, clean your hands frequently with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash them thoroughly with soap and water.
What are the signs and symptoms of Covid-19?

Most common symptoms:

• fever
  
• dry cough
  
• tiredness
  

Less common symptoms:

• aches and pains
  
• sore throat
  
• diarrhoea
  
• conjunctivitis (eye infection)
  
• headache
  
• loss of taste or smell
  
• a skin rash  or discolouration of fingers or toes
  

Serious symptoms:

• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  
• chest pain or pressure
• loss of speech or movement

Seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms. Always call before visiting your doctor or health facility.  People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home.  On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however, it can take up to 14 days.
 
10 Ways to safeguard yourself from infection:

1.  Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly
   
2. Wear a facemask and avoid touching your face, eyes and mouth
   
3. Put on gloves if necessary
   
4. Do not touch mucus with your fingers
   
5. Avoid shaking hands and hugging people
   
6. Press elevator buttons with your knuckle
   
7. Avoid busy places and events
   
8. Keep social distancing with a minimum of 1,5m and avoid contact with infected people
   
9. Sneeze and cough into tissues or inside the crook of your elbow
   
10. Dispose of used tissues safely and quickly