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Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Health

Health Infographic

Coronavirus at a Glance: Infographic

A new coronavirus, first identified in China in December 2019, has caused an outbreak of respiratory illness that the World Health Organization named COVID-19 in February 2020.

Reviewed By:

Lisa Lockerd Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H.

Coronavirus  at a Glance

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covid-19 sYMPTOMS may develop within 14 days of exposure and include*:

  • Coughing

    Cough

  • High temperature

    Fever

  • Illustrated man experiencing difficulty breathing

    Shortness of breath

Transmission and Diagnosis

The virus that causes COVID-19:

  • Usually spreads from close person-to-person contact through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing.
  • May also spread through airborne transmission, when tiny droplets remain in the air even after the person with the virus leaves the area.
  • Can only be diagnosed with a laboratory test.
Graphic of virus cell

COVID-19 BY THE NUMBERS

873,767

Confirmed cases worldwide**

**As of April 1, 2020. This information comes from the Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering.

THE BEST WAYs TO PROTECT YOURSELF

  • Scrubbing hands with soap and water

    Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.

  • Man sneezing into a tissue

    Cough or sneeze into a tissue or flexed elbow, then throw the tissue in the trash.

  • Man coughing into hand

    Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Two figured separated by a dotted line

    Avoid close contact with people who are sick, sneezing or coughing.

  • Illustrated man sleeping in bed

    Stay home when you are ill.

  • Disinfecting a countertop

    Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that people frequently touch.

  • graphic of man wearing face mask

    Only wear a face mask if you have respiratory symptoms or are caring for someone with respiratory symptoms.

If you feel sick

If you have shortness of breath or a fever or cough, or if you had recent contact with someone who had shortness of breath or a fever or cough, please tell a nurse, doctor or other health care professional as soon as possible. Contact the provider before you arrive at the provider's office or emergency room, and tell them about your symptoms.
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*In rare cases, the virus can lead to severe respiratory problems, kidney failure or death, so contact your doctor promptly if you have symptoms.

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