Over one million people have died from the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease worldwide.
The disease, which has been declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), has infected millions of people globally.
Countries with the highest COVID-19 deaths include the United States, Brazil, India and Russia amongst others.
COVID-19 is transmitted through contact with droplets containing COVID-19, airborne transmissions and fomite transmissions.
“Respiratory secretions or droplets expelled by infected individuals can contaminate surfaces and objects, creating fomites (contaminated surfaces),” notes the WHO.
COVID-19, also known as SARS-CoV-2 RNA, has been detected urine and stool specimens of people who have the virus.
Symptoms include fever, coughing, shortness of breath, muscle pain, loss of taste or smell.
Some people who have been infected do not exhibit any symptoms of the known COVID-19 symptoms.
COVID-19 can be transmitted through contact with droplets containing COVID-19. It commonly spreads through the mouth and nose through direct and indirect contact with contaminated surfaces and through close contact with infected people.
The disease was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. WHO declared it a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern” in January 2020.
