source:wikipedia
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus
pandemic, is an ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease
2019 (COVID‑19) caused by severe acute
respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2).[6] The
outbreak was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.[4][7] The World Health Organization declared
the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30
January, and a pandemic on 11 March.[8][9] As
of 9 May 2020, more than 3.95 million
cases of COVID-19 have been reported in over 187 countries
and territories, resulting in more than 275,000
deaths. More than 1.31 million people have recovered.[5]
The virus is
primarily spread between
people during close contact,[c] often
via small droplets produced
by coughing,[d] sneezing,
and talking.[10][11][13] The
droplets usually fall to the ground or onto surfaces rather than remaining in the air over long distances.[10] People
may also become infected by touching a contaminated surface and then touching
their face.[10][11] On
surfaces, the amount of virus declines over time until it is insufficient to
remain infectious, but it may be detected for hours or days.[10][13][14] It
is most contagious during the first three days after the onset of symptoms,
although spread may be possible before symptoms appear and in later stages of
the disease.[15]
Common symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath,
and loss of smell.[10][16][17] Complications
may include pneumonia and acute
respiratory distress syndrome.[18] The time from exposure to onset of symptoms is typically
around five days, but may range from two to fourteen days.[19][20] There
is no known vaccine or specific antiviral treatment.[10] Primary
treatment is symptomatic and supportive therapy.[21]
Recommended preventive measures include hand washing, covering one's mouth when coughing, maintaining distance from other people, wearing a face mask in
public settings, and monitoring and self-isolation for people who suspect they are infected.[10][22] Authorities
worldwide have responded by
implementing travel restrictions, lockdowns, workplace hazard
controls, and facility closures. Many places have also worked to
increase testing capacity
and trace contacts of
infected persons.
The pandemic has caused severe global
socioeconomic disruption,[23] including the largest global
recession since the Great Depression.[24] It
has led to the postponement or cancellation of sporting, religious, political and cultural events,[25] widespread
supply shortages exacerbated by panic buying,[26][27] and decreased emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases.[28][29] Schools,
universities, and colleges have closed either on a nationwide
or local basis in 194 countries, affecting approximately 98.5 per cent of the
world's student population.[30] Misinformation
about the virus has spread online,[31] and
there have been incidents of xenophobia and discrimination against Chinese people and
against those perceived as being Chinese, or as being from areas with high
infection rates.[32][33][34]


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