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About COVID-19

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Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that is caused by a newly discovered form of coronavirus. COVID-19 is a respiratory infection that was unknown before the outbreak that started in Hubei Province, China, in December 2019. Other known forms of coronaviruses include Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). 

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What are the Symptoms of COVID-19? 

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Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild illness to pneumonia. Some people will recover easily, and others may get very sick very quickly. The common symptoms of COVID-19 may include:

 

- fever 

- coughing 

- sore throat 

- fatigue (tiredness), and  

- difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. 

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Most people infected with COVID-19 will have a mild to moderate illness and will recover without special medical treatment. Some people, such as those with underlying medical problems or disease and older people, are more likely to suffer from more serious symptoms of the diseases. See also our content on vulnerable workers. 

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How is COVID-19 Spread? 

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- the most likely way someone will catch the virus is by breathing in micro-droplets a person close to them has released by 

   sneezing, coughing – or just breathing out 

- a person can, however, also catch it via the hand-to-face pathway: touching a surface where live virus material is present, then

   touching their mouth, nose or eyes 

- spread of COVID-19 is highest from people with symptoms 

- spread of COVID-19 before symptoms appear is less common 

 

More Information

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For more information about COVID-19 please see the resources available from either the Canadian Department of Public Health or the US CDC.  You can also call either the Canadian National Coronavirus Help Line on 1800 020 080 or the CDC on 1800 232 4636 if you have questions about COVID-19. Both lines are open for COVID related questions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.