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Infectious Diseases

Disease Information

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It was first identified in late 2019 and declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020.

How Is It Spread?

COVID-19 & respiratory viruses are spread by:

  • Respiratory and aerosol droplets when an infected person breathes, coughs, sneezes, sings, shouts, or talks. Large droplets can fall to the ground quickly and smaller droplets (aerosols) can linger in the air, especially in indoor spaces
  • Close contact: being within 2 meters of an infected person for 15 minutes or more, or for multiple sort periods of time without a mask
  • Surface contact: touching something with the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes

Post COVID-19 Condition

Post COVID-19 condition (long COVID)

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