Are people of a particular age vulnerable to coronavirus disease?
Are people of a particular age vulnerable to coronavirus disease?
COVID-19Common questionAre people of a particular age vulnerable to coronavirus disease?People of all ages can be infected by the COVID-19 virus.Older people and younger people can be infected by the COVID-19 virus. Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.
Why are older people at significant risk of COVID-19?
COVID-19Common questionWhy are older people at significant risk of COVID-19?Although all age groups are at risk of contracting COVID-19, older people face significant risk of developing severe illness if they contract the disease due to physiological changes that come with ageing and potential underlying health conditions.3 Apr 2020
What is the percentage of people who need to be immune against COVID-19 in order to achieve herd immunity?
COVID-19Common questionSee full answerWhat is the percentage of people who need to be immune against COVID-19 in order to achieve herd immunity?We are still learning about immunity to COVID-19. Most people who are infected with COVID-19 develop an immune response within the first few weeks, but we don’t know how strong or lasting that immune response is, or how it differs for different people. There have also been reports of people infected with COVID-19 for a second time. Until we better understand COVID-19 immunity, it will not be possible to know how much of a population is immune and how long that immunity last for, let alone make future predictions. These challenges should preclude any plans that try to increase immunity within a population by allowing people to get infected.31 Dec 2020
What are the organs most affected by COVID‐19?
COVID-19Common questionWhat are the organs most affected by COVID‐19?The lungs are the organs most affected by COVID‐19
Where was COVID-19 first discovered?
COVID-19Common questionWhere was COVID-19 first discovered?The first known infections from SARS-CoV-2 were discovered in Wuhan, China. The original source of viral transmission to humans remains unclear, as does whether the virus became pathogenic before or after the spillover event.
Who are at higher risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19?
COVID-19Common questionWho are at higher risk of developing serious illness from COVID-19?Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
Which types of settings does COVID-19 spread more easily?
COVID-19Common questionWhich types of settings does COVID-19 spread more easily?The “Three C's” are a useful way to think about this. They describe settings where transmission of the COVID-19 virus spreads more easily:• Crowded places;• Close-contact settings, especially where people have conversations very near each other;• Confined and enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.23 Dec 2021
What is the proper way to wear a mask to help prevent COVID-19?
COVID-19Common questionWhat is the proper way to wear a mask to help prevent COVID-19?• Clean your hands before you put your mask on, as well as before and after you take it off, and after you touch it at any time.• Make sure it covers both your nose, mouth and chin. • When you take off a mask, store it in a clean plastic bag, and every day either wash it if it’s a fabric mask, or dispose of a medical mask in a trash bin.• Don’t use masks with valves.
What are some of the ways by which COVID-19 is transmitted?
COVID-19Common questionWhat are some of the ways by which COVID-19 is transmitted?COVID-19 transmits when people breathe in air contaminated by droplets and small airborne particles. The risk of breathing these in is highest when people are in close proximity, but they can be inhaled over longer distances, particularly indoors.
In what conditions does COVID-19 survive the longest?
COVID-19Common questionIn what conditions does COVID-19 survive the longest?Coronaviruses die very quickly when exposed to the UV light in sunlight. Like other enveloped viruses, SARS-CoV-2 survives longest when the temperature is at room temperature or lower, and when the relative humidity is low (<50%).
How long does the virus that causes COVID-19 last on surfaces?
COVID-19Common questionHow long does the virus that causes COVID-19 last on surfaces?Recent research evaluated the survival of the COVID-19 virus on different surfaces and reported that the virus can remain viable for up to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel, up to four hours on copper, and up to 24 hours on cardboard.7 Apr 2020
Can the coronavirus survive on surfaces?
COVID-19Common questionCan the coronavirus survive on surfaces?It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems likely to behave like other coronaviruses. A recent review of the survival of human coronaviruses on surfaces found large variability, ranging from 2 hours to 9 days (11).The survival time depends on a number of factors, including the type of surface, temperature, relative humidity and specific strain of the virus.3 Mar 2020
When was COVID-19 first reported?
COVID-19Common questionWhen was COVID-19 first reported?On this website you can find information and guidance from WHO regarding the current outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that was first reported from Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019.
What is the origin of COVID-19?
COVID-19Common questionWhat is the origin of COVID-19?Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. It was first isolated from three people with pneumonia connected to the cluster of acute respiratory illness cases in Wuhan. All structural features of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus particle occur in related coronaviruses in nature.
How long have coronaviruses existed?
COVID-19Common questionHow long have coronaviruses existed?The most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of all coronaviruses is estimated to have existed as recently as 8000 BCE, although some models place the common ancestor as far back as 55 million years or more, implying long term coevolution with bat and avian species.