The COVID-19 disease is a newly emerging infectious disease caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. This virus is phylogenetically distinct from previously known human and animal coronaviruses but is closer to the SARS virus. The SARS-CoV-2 virus was first identified in Wuhan city, Hubei, China in December 2019.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness and the primary transmission route is through person-to- person contact and through direct contact with respiratory droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Most common symptoms:

• fever

• dry cough

• tiredness

Less common symptoms:

• aches and pains

• sore throat

• diarrhoea

• conjunctivitis

• headache

• loss of taste or smell

• a rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes