Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.
Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching your face.
The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).
At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments. WHO will continue to provide updated information as soon as clinical findings become available.
Stay informed:
- Protect yourself: advice for the public
- Myth busters
- Questions and answers
- Situation reports
- All information on the COVID-19 outbreak
WHO – World Health Organisation
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- On World Children’s Day, WHO is pleased to issue a call urging stakeholders to accelerate access to effective paediatric HIV and tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics and medicines.The Action Plan, which is launched today, has been developed by a wide group of stakeholders under the auspices of the Fifth Vatican High-Level Dialogue on Paediatric HIV and TB […]
- The United Nations, IOM, ITU, OCHA, OHCHR, UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNOPS, UPU, UN Volunteers, UN Women, WFP and WHO support the adoption of the following joint statement, in line with the UN Personal Data Protection and Privacy Principles adopted by the UN System Organizations to support its use of data and technology in […]
- This story accompanies the UNICEF-WHO State of the World's Sanitaton report launched on 19 November 2020. This report, aims to draw attention to the sanitation crisis, bring together lessons from high-achieving countries, and presenting a vision of what is needed to deliver universal access to safe sanitation.
ECDC – European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
- The report provides an overview of the COVID-19 epidemiology in the EU/EEA and the UK using the available data compiled from multiple sources.
- As of 4 December 2019, European Union (EU) Member States and EU neighbouring countries reported 463 human infections in 2019. The last cases of this transmission season were reported by Italy in week 46.
- On 30 October, French authorities reported a third autochthonous case of Zika virus (ZIKV) disease in Hyères city, Var department, France. The case had no travel history to Zika-endemic countries.
- On 21 October, French authorities reported a second autochthonous case of Zika virus (ZIKV) disease in Hyères city, Var department, France with no travel history to Zika-endemic countries.
- The Health Protection Surveillance Centre in Ireland reported an increase in typhoid fever notifications in travellers returning from Pakistan.
USCDC – Center for Disease Control and Prevention
- Find national and local rates for COVID cases and deaths in the United States.
- CDC COVID Data Tracker – Cases and Deaths by State
- Answers to frequently asked questions regarding laboratory testing, biosafety and COVID-19.
- Answers to commonly asked questions about COVID-19 vaccines, including vaccine cost, availability, and types.
- This CDC webpage provides guidance on the regulatory requirements for SARS-CoV-2 POC testing, using POC tests safely, and information on reporting POC test results.
- Some travel activities, like staying at guest lodgings, can increase your risk of getting COVID-19. Your chances of exposure are higher if you come into close contact with others, especially people you don't know, or use shared public facilities.
- Learn about COVID-19 vaccine planning, how vaccine recommendations will be made, and the work going into ensuring the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.
- Overview of what you should know about the different COVID-19 vaccines, including vaccine types and how they work to provide protection against COVID-19, which vaccines have been authorized and recommended in the United States, and which are in Phase 3 clinical trials.
- Federal staffing resources for health departments.
- This webpage describes the criteria for and status of cruise ship response plans required for crew disembarkation with commercial travel.