There’s still a lot we don’t know about the novel coronavirus, officially called Covid-19, and scientists around the world are racing to gather data and develop a treatment.
Here’s what we can tell you so far:
- Is there a cure? There’s no cure, but patients can be treated for symptoms and may recover. A vaccine could take 12 to 18 months, according to World Health Organization director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
- What are the symptoms? Coronavirus symptoms can look like the flu — a runny nose, cough, sore throat, possibly a headache and maybe a fever, which can last for a couple of days.
- How does the virus spread? The virus is thought to spread from person to person through respiratory droplets emitted by coughing or sneezing. There’s also a possibility the virus can exist in and spread through contaminated fecal matter. There’s currently no evidence that the virus is airborne — meaning, for instance, it doesn’t travel across a large room.
- Who is at risk of infection? People of all ages can be infected with the virus, but older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions are especially vulnerable to severe complications.
- How can I protect myself? Take the same precautionary measures you would during flu season. Wash your hands often with soap and water, cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze or cough, avoid close contact with people or large gatherings, and wear a face mask.
