What Is Coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is an illness that can spread from person to person and can be harmful to your lungs. Most people have symptoms like a cold or flu and return to health after about a week. Some people become sicker and need to be cared for in a hospital.Most  common symptoms are Cough, Cold, Sour throat and difficulty in breathing.

Who Is at Risk?

Everyone is at risk, the elderly and those with underlying diseases, like diabetes or a weakened immune system, are more likely to become ill and may have more severe cases.

Those who are at higher risk should stay at home as much as possible, avoid large gatherings and stay away from sick people.

It is a good idea to have several weeks of medications on hand in case you have to stay at home for an extended period of time.

How Long Does the Coronavirus Last on Surfaces?

A March 2020 study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that novel coronavirus can live on surfaces for anywhere from hours to days. For instance, it can last up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to a few days on plastics and stainless steel.