What is a coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses (MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV) are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe respiratory lung diseases. The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease caused by it was discovered in Wuhan, China in December 2019.
What is the incubation period for COVID-19?
The “incubation period” means the time between catching the virus and beginning to have symptoms of the disease. The incubation period for COVID-19 range from 1-14 days, most commonly around 5 days.
What are the different stages of COVID-19 transmission?
There are 4 stages of COVID-19 transmission.
Stage 1: Only seen in those who have travelled abroad recently
Stage 2: Local transmission, which means that the traveller has passed on the infection to close contacts/ household members.
Stage 3: Community transmission, when the source of infection is not known for majority of the infected population.
Stage 4: When it turns into an epidemic, rapid spread of disease to large number of people within a short period of time.
How does it spread?
It spreads from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.
How long does virus survive on surfaces?
Studies suggest that coronaviruses may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).
Who are at risk of developing severe illness?
Older people (age > 65 years), persons with pre-existing medical condition such as high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease or diabetes appear to develop serious illness more often than others 1. Smokers and immunocompromised people (cancer patients, patients on chemotherapy etc) are at much higher risk
Is there a higher chance of getting COVID-19 in patients with diabetes?
Enough data is not available to suggest whether people with diabetes are more likely to get COVID-19 than the general population. However, if a person with diabetes catches COVID-19, there is a higher chance of experiencing serious complications from it.
