Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause disease in humans and animals. In humans, it usually causes respiratory infections, from the common cold to serious illnesses such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). A new type of coronavirus that was discovered in humans since the outbreak occurred in Wuhan China, in December 2019, was then named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV2), and causes Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19).

COVID-19 is caused by SARS-COV2 which belongs to the same large family of coronaviruses that caused SARS in 2003, only with a different type of virus. Symptoms are similar to SARS, but the SARS death rate (9.6%) is higher than COVID-19 (less than 5%), even though the number of COVID-19 cases is far more than SARS. COVID-19 also had a wider and faster spread to several countries than SARS.

Common symptoms include fever ≥380C, dry cough, and shortness of breath. If there are people who within 14 days before the symptoms appear, have traveled to an infected country, or have cared for / had close contact with a person with COVID-19, then that person will be subjected to further laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Like other respiratory illnesses, COVID-19 can cause mild symptoms including runny nose, sore throat, cough and fever. About 80% of cases can recover without the need for special treatment. About 1 in every 6 people may develop a serious illness, such as accompanied by pneumonia or difficulty breathing, which usually comes on gradually. Although the mortality rate for this disease is still low (around 3%), for the elderly, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease), they are usually more susceptible to becoming sick. severe. Seeing the development to date, more than 50% of confirmed cases have been declared better, and the cure rate will continue to increase.

A person can become infected from sufferers of COVID-19. This disease can spread through small droplets from the nose or mouth when coughing or sneezing. The droplet then falls on the object around it. Then if someone else touches an object that has been contaminated with the droplets, then that person touches the eyes, nose or mouth (triangle face), then that person can be infected with COVID19. Or it could be that someone is infected with COVID-19 when accidentally inhaling droplets from sufferers. This is why it is important to keep a distance of up to one meter or so from people who are sick. Until now, experts are still carrying out investigations to determine the source of the virus, type of exposure, and mode of transmission. Stay tuned to accurate and official sources of information about the progression of the disease.

The main mode of transmission of this disease is through the small droplets that are released when someone coughs or sneezes. Currently, WHO assesses that the risk of transmission from someone who is not symptomatic of COVID19 is very unlikely. However, many people who are identified with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms such as a mild cough, or do not complain of pain, which may occur in the early stages of the disease. Until now, experts are still carrying out investigations to determine the transmission period or incubation period for COVID-19. Stay tuned to accurate and official sources of information about the progression of the disease.

Until now, research states that the virus that causes COVID-19 is transmitted through contact with small droplets from the respiratory tract.

COVID-19 is caused by a type of virus from the Coronavirus family, which is commonly found in animals. Until now, the source of the animal transmitting COVID-19 is not yet known, experts are continuing to investigate various possible types of infectious animals.

At this time, there is no evidence that pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the COVID-19 virus. However, it is much better to always wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets. This habit can protect you against a variety of common bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans.

It is not yet known exactly how long COVID-19 can last on the surface of an object, although early studies show that COVID-19 can last up to several hours, depending on the type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment. However, a simple disinfectant can kill the virus so that it is impossible to infect people again. And getting used to washing your hands with water and soap, or alcohol-based hand rub, and avoiding touching your eyes, mouth or nose (facial triangle) is more effective in protecting yourself.