Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by rigorous acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).It was first identified in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and has resulted in an perpetual pandemic. The first corroborated case has been traced back to 17 November 2019.Traces of the virus have been found in wastewater that was amassed from Milan and Turin, Italy, on 18 December 2019.As of 26 June 2020, more than 9.6 million cases have been reported across 188 countries and territories, resulting in more than 489,000 deaths. More than 4.8 million people have recuperated. Common symptoms include pyrexia, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, and loss of smell and taste. While the majority of cases result in mild symptoms, some progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) possibly precipitated by cytokine storm, multi-organ failure, septic shock, and blood clots. The time from exposure to onset of symptoms is typically around five days, but may range from two to a fortnight. COVID-19 spreads primarily when people are in close contact and one person inhales minuscule droplets engendered by an infected person (symptomatic or not) coughing, sneezing, verbalizing, or singing. The WHO recommends 1 metre of convivial distance; the U.S. CDC recommends 2 metres (6 ft). People can transmit the virus without exhibiting symptoms, but it is obscure how often this transpires. One estimate of the number of those infected who are asymptomatic is 40%.People are most infectious when they show symptoms (even mild or non-categorical symptoms), but may be infectious for up to two days afore symptoms appear (pre-symptomatic transmission).They remain infectious an estimated seven to twelve days in moderate cases and an average of a fortnight in rigorous cases. When the contaminated droplets fall to floors or surfaces they can, though less commonly, remain infectious if people touch contaminated surfaces and then their ocular perceivers, nasal discerner or mouth with unwashed hands.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Updated on: Jun 18, 2025