Symptoms of COVID-19:

• Common symptoms: fever, tiredness, dry cough.
• Less common symptoms: Body aches, runny nose, sore throat and diarrhea.
These symptoms develop gradually and are usually not visible all at once. Some infected people do not show any symptoms at all.

People most at risk:

Only 1 in 6 infected patients become seriously ill and start having respiratory troubles. Older people and people suffering from underlying medical issues such as heart diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure etc. are more prone to the virus. Therefore, it is required that they should practice additional care during such a time. People facing difficulty in breathing, fever and cough should immediately seek medical attention.

How does COVID-19 spread:

• When a person infected with COVID-19 breathes, sneezes or coughs, small droplets from nose or mouth are released into the infected person’s surroundings. If a healthy person breathes these droplets, they also become infected with the diseases.
• The droplets from an infected person can also land on objects and surfaces around them. Other persons can catch the virus when they touch their eyes, nose or mouth after touching these surfaces.
• Direct physical contact such as shaking hands and hugging etc. can also transfer the virus from an infected individual to a healthy person.
It is therefore necessary to stay more than 3 feet away from an infected individual.

Should I worry about COVID-19?

Although illness due to COVID-19 is generally mild, it can cause serious illness if proper hygiene measure and other precautions are not observed. It is therefore quite normal for people to worry about how the COVID-19 outbreak will affect them and their loved ones. Maintaining hand washing, good respiratory hygiene, keeping informed and following the advice of local authorities including restriction on travel, movement and gatherings that can ensure safety for yourself and your family.

COVID-19 status of Pakistan:

As per April 03, 2020, Pakistan has a total of 2,450 COVID-19 patients, where 34 deaths have been reported. To access daily situation reports of Pakistan, click COVID-19 daily situation report- NIH Pakistan.

For more information on COVID-19, click Common Questions about COVID-19: Answered