Video Transcription

Coronavirus is a family of virus that we have known for a long time, although the coronavirus 19, or better known as COVID-19, is one of the new viruses that was discovered at the end of 2019, and hence the name, COVID-19, which stands for coronavirus disease 19.

Coronavirus spreads through droplet mode of transmission, which means small respiratory secretions and particles up in the air that transmit from one person's respiratory tract, including nose and mouth, to others. This can be direct, or through touching through your hands, or contaminated surfaces.

Most commonly, coronavirus presents in form of a worsening cough, fever, and shortness of breath. There are other symptoms which are also seen in a minority of the patients, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and they continue to worsen, but most commonly, the respiratory symptoms is what we see in the majority of the patients and population.

The first thing you need to do if you develop symptoms is self-quarantine at home to prevent the spread of infection to others and around you. The majority of patients who develop or who catch a COVID-19 infection will develop mild symptoms, and they do not need any specific treatment, and can be monitored and recover out of this just by staying at home under self-monitoring. Although, if at any point your symptoms continue to persist or get worse, then you need to get in touch with your health care provider. We have a COVID-19 helpline through CRH that you can call, and our volunteers will talk to you about the next steps that you need to take.

The best way to prevent yourself from getting an infection is maintain social distancing. That prevents yourself and also prevents you to pass on the disease to others around you. You need to stay at home, avoid any unnecessary travel or social contact, maintain good hand hygiene, wash your hands for 20 seconds, disinfect your home, and as I said, just maintain social distancing and minimize social contact at this point of time.

Learn more at "Coronavirus Update: What You Need to Know."