What is
COVID-19
(Coronavirus)
COMPLIANCE OFFICER
AWARENESS TRAINING
MAY 2020

What is COVID-19?
(Coronavirus)
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an
infectious disease previously not identified
in humans

Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus
will experience mild to moderate respiratory
illness and recover without requiring special
treatment. Older people, and those with
underlying medical problems like cardiovascular
disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease,
and cancer are more likely to develop serious
illness.
The best way to prevent transmission is be well
informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it
causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and
others from infection by washing your hands or
using an alcohol based rub frequently and not
touching your face.

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).
At this time, there are no specific vaccines or
treatments for COVID-19. However, there are
many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential
treatments. The World Health Organisation
(WHO) continue to provide updated information
as soon as clinical findings become available.

How does COVID-19 spread?
It can be spread from person to person. In
ways that are very similar to passing on a
common cold or the flu.

The most common spread is from droplets
produced when someone who is infected coughs
or sneezes.
If someone is close to this person they are at risk
of contracting the virus from the droplets by
breathing them in through nose mouth or
absorbing via eyes.
There is also a risk of contamination by infected
people touching or coming into contact with
objects they touch and transferring the virus to
these objects, when someone else touches the
object they then pick up the virus.

Signs & Symptoms of COVID-
19
The time between exposure to COVID-19
and the moment when symptoms start is
commonly around five to six days but can
range from 1 – 14 days.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are
fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some people
may have aches and pains, nasal congestion,
runny nose, sore throat or diarrhoea. These
symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually.
Some people become infected but don’t develop
any symptoms and don't feel unwell.
The virus seems to start with a fever, followed by
a dry cough and then, after a week, leads to
shortness of breath and some patients needing
hospital treatment.

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