1.

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the
common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
(MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). The most recently
discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19. Coronaviruses are
zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people.  Detailed
investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and
MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are
circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans. 
2. COVID-19 is the disease caused by a virus strain that began spreading in people.
This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China,
in December 2019.
3. People may be sick with the virus for 1 to 14 days before developing symptoms. The most
common symptoms of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are fever, tiredness,dry cough and
difficulty breathing (severe cases). Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal
congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and
begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and
don't feel unwell. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously
ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical
problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to
develop serious illness. 
4. People can catch COVID-19 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.
5. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
Protection measures for everyone
Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website
and through your national and local public health authority. Many countries around the world
have seen cases of COVID-19 and several have seen outbreaks. Authorities in China and some
other countries have succeeded in slowing or stopping their outbreaks. However, the situation is
unpredictable so check regularly for the latest news.

You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking some simple
precautions:

Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash
them with soap and water.
Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills
viruses that may be on your hands.
 Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing
or sneezing.
Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their
nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the
droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.

Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands
can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your
body and can make you sick.

Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means
covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people
around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek
medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the
situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct
you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses
and other infections.

Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 hotspots (cities or local areas where COVID-19
is spreading widely). If possible, avoid traveling to places  – especially if you are an older
person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease.
Why? You have a higher chance of catching COVID-19 in one of these areas.

Protection measures for persons who are in or have recently visited (past 14 days) areas where
COVID-19 is spreading

1. Follow the guidance outlined above (Protection measures for everyone)

2. Self-isolate by staying at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such
as headache, low grade fever (37.3 C or above) and slight runny nose, until you recover.
If it is essential for you to have someone bring you supplies or to go out, e.g. to buy food,
then wear a mask to avoid infecting other people.
Why? Avoiding contact with others and visits to medical facilities will allow these facilities
to operate more effectively and help protect you and others from possible COVID-19 and
other viruses.
3. If you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice promptly as this
may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. Call in advance and tell
your provider of any recent travel or contact with travelers.
 Why? Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the
right health facility. This will also help to prevent possible spread of COVID-19 and other
viruses.

6. The risk depends on where you  are - and more specifically, whether there is a COVID-19
outbreak unfolding there.
For most people in most locations the risk of catching COVID-19 is still low. However, there are
now places around the world (cities or areas) where the disease is spreading. For people living
in, or visiting, these areas the risk of catching COVID-19 is higher. Governments and health
authorities are taking vigorous action every time a new case of COVID-19 is identified. Be sure
to comply with any local restrictions on travel, movement or large gatherings. Cooperating with
disease control efforts will reduce your risk of catching or spreading COVID-19.

7. Illness due to COVID-19 infection is generally mild, especially for children and young adults.
However, it can cause serious illness: about 1 in every 5 people who catch it need hospital care.
It is therefore quite normal for people to worry about how the COVID-19 outbreak will affect
them and their loved ones.
We can channel our concerns into actions to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our
communities. First and foremost among these actions is regular and thorough hand-washing
and good respiratory hygiene. Secondly, keep informed and follow the advice of the local health
authorities including any restrictions put in place on travel, movement and gatherings.
10. While some western, traditional or home remedies may provide comfort and alleviate
symptoms of COVID-19, there is no evidence that current medicine can prevent or cure the
disease. WHO does not recommend self-medication with any medicines, including antibiotics,
as a prevention or cure for COVID-19. However, there are several ongoing clinical trials that
include both western and traditional medicines. WHO will continue to provide updated
information as soon as clinical findings are available.
13. Only wear a mask if you are ill with COVID-19 symptoms (especially coughing) or looking
after someone who may have COVID-19. Disposable face mask can only be used once. If you
are not ill or looking after someone who is ill then you are wasting a mask. There is a world-wide
shortage of masks, so WHO urges people to use masks wisely.

14.

Remember, a mask should only be used by health workers, care takers, and individuals with
respiratory symptoms, such as fever and cough.

4. Before touching the mask, clean hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and
water
5. Take the mask and inspect it for tears or holes.
6. Orient which side is the top side (where the metal strip is).
7. Ensure the proper side of the mask faces outwards (the coloured side).
 8. Place the mask to your face. Pinch the metal strip or stiff edge of the mask so it moulds
to the shape of your nose.
9. Pull down the mask’s bottom so it covers your mouth and your chin.
10. After use, take off the mask; remove the elastic loops from behind the ears while
keeping the mask away from your face and clothes, to avoid touching potentially
contaminated surfaces of the mask.
11. Discard the mask in a closed bin immediately after use.
12. Perform hand hygiene after touching or discarding the mask – Use alcohol-based hand
rub or, if visibly soiled, wash your hands with soap and water.

15. The “incubation period” means the time between catching the virus and beginning to have
symptoms of the disease. Most estimates of the incubation period for COVID-19 range from 1-
14 days, most commonly around five days. These estimates will be updated as more data
become available.

16. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in animals. Occasionally,
people get infected with these viruses which may then spread to other people. For example,
SARS-CoV was associated with civet cats and MERS-CoV is transmitted by dromedary camels.
Possible animal sources of COVID-19 have not yet been confirmed.  

To protect yourself, such as when visiting live animal markets, avoid direct contact with animals
and surfaces in contact with animals. Ensure good food safety practices at all times. Handle raw
meat, milk or animal organs with care to avoid contamination of uncooked foods and avoid
consuming raw or undercooked animal products.
17. While there has been one instance of a dog being infected in Hong Kong, to date, there is
no evidence that a dog, cat or any pet can transmit COVID-19. COVID-19 is mainly spread
through droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. To protect
yourself, clean your hands frequently and thoroughly. 

18. It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems
to behave like other coronaviruses. Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary
information on the COVID-19 virus) 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).

If you think a surface may be infected, clean it with simple disinfectant to kill the virus and
protect yourself and others. Clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them
with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.
19. Yes. The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the
risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled,
and exposed to different conditions and temperature is also low. 
20. The following measures ARE NOT effective against COVID-2019 and can be harmful:

1. Smoking
2. Wearing multiple masks
3. Taking antibiotics (See question 10 "Are there any medicines of therapies that can
prevent or cure COVID-19?")

In any case, if you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing seek medical care early to reduce
the risk of developing a more severe infection and be sure to share your recent travel history
with your health care provider.