How do you get infected?

1. How does COVID-19 spread?
2. Is COVID-19 caused by a virus or a bacteria?
3. How do viruses get their name?
4. How long does the virus that causes COVID-19 last on surfaces?
5. Where was COVID-19 first discovered?
6. Can the coronavirus disease be transmitted through water?
7. Can COVID-19 be transmitted through food?
8. How long can the virus that causes COVID-19 survive on surfaces after being expelled from the body?
9. How long does it take for symptoms of the coronavirus disease to appear?
10. Who issued the official name of COVID-19?
11. When was the official name of SARS-CoV-2 announced?
12. When was COVID-19 first reported?

How does COVID-19 spread?

• Current evidence suggests that the virus spreads mainly between people who are in close contact with each other, typically within 1 metre (short-range). A person can be infected when aerosols or droplets containing the virus are inhaled or come directly into contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth.

Is COVID-19 caused by a virus or a bacteria?

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by a virus, NOT by bacteria.

How do viruses get their name?

Viruses are named based on their genetic structure to facilitate the development of diagnostic tests, vaccines and medicines. Virologists and the wider scientific community do this work, so viruses are named by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV).

How long does the virus that causes COVID-19 last on surfaces?

Recent research evaluated the survival of the COVID-19 virus on different surfaces and reported that the virus can remain viable for up to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel, up to four hours on copper, and up to 24 hours on cardboard.

Where was COVID-19 first discovered?

The first known infections from SARS-CoV-2 were discovered in Wuhan, China. The original source of viral transmission to humans remains unclear, as does whether the virus became pathogenic before or after the spillover event.

Can the coronavirus disease be transmitted through water?

Drinking water is not transmitting COVID-19. And, if you swim in a swimming pool or in a pond, you cannot get COVID-19 through water. But what can happen, if you go to a swimming pool, which is crowded and if you are close to other the people and if someone is infected, then you can be of course affected.

Can COVID-19 be transmitted through food?

There is currently no evidence that people can catch COVID-19 from food. The virus that causes COVID-19 can be killed at temperatures similar to that of other known viruses and bacteria found in food.

How long can the virus that causes COVID-19 survive on surfaces after being expelled from the body?

After being expelled from the body, coronaviruses can survive on surfaces for hours to days. If a person touches the dirty surface, they may deposit the virus at the eyes, nose, or mouth where it can enter the body and cause infection.

How long does it take for symptoms of the coronavirus disease to appear?

On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days.

Who issued the official name of COVID-19?

The official names COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 were issued by the WHO on 11 February 2020.

When was the official name of SARS-CoV-2 announced?

On 11 February 2020, the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses adopted the official name "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2" (SARS-CoV-2).

When was COVID-19 first reported?

On this website you can find information and guidance from WHO regarding the current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that was first reported from Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019.