Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illness in humans ranging from the common cold to more serious respiratory infections like bronchitis, pneumonia or severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of virus that has not been previously identified in humans. In some cases, illness caused by novel coronavirus can be mild. In more severe cases, the novel coronavirus can cause pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, severe influenza-like illness, kidney failure and even death.

Symptoms of COVID-19 range from mild to more severe. Some symptoms are similar to the flu and other common respiratory infections.

• fever
• new onset of cough
• chills
• unexplained fatigue
• headache
• sore throat
• runny nose
• stuffy or congested nose
• lost sense of taste or smell
• difficulty breathing
• difficulty swallowing
• pink eye
• digestive issues (nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain), or
• for young children and infants: sluggishness or lack of appetite

Older adults may also experience symptoms like:

• Chills
• Delirium
• Falls
• Acute Functional Decline
• Increased Heart Rate
• Decreased Blood Pressure

In more severe cases, complications from COVID-19 can include pneumonia, kidney failure, or in some cases, death.

The risk of developing severe disease from COVID-19 may be higher if you have a weakened immune system. This may be the case for:

• older people;
• anyone with chronic disease such as diabetes, cancer, heart, renal or chronic lung disease.

Coronaviruses are spread mainly from person to person through close contact, for example, in a household, workplace or health care centre.

COVID-19 spreads from an infected person to others through respiratory droplets and aerosols (smaller droplets) created when an infected person: talks, sings, shouts, coughs, or sneezes.

COVID-19 can also spread by touching something that has the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands. You can transmit COVID-19 before you start showing symptoms or without ever developing symptoms.