Coronavirus / COVID-19
COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus. This is spread in sneeze or cough droplets, and infects you via your eyes, nose or mouth. Therefore, it’s important to wash your hands thoroughly and often, and to avoid touching these areas.
The main symptoms to look for are:
- a cough - this can be any kind of cough, not just a dry one
- shortness of breath
- breathing difficulties
- fever (high temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above) or chills
It can take up to 14 days for symptoms of coronavirus to appear. If you develop symptoms, the first thing that you need to do is to self-isolate. It's also important to restrict your movements if you are / were in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus.
However, there is a lot of false information being circulated, so it is crucial to follow the official up-to-date guidance from:
* The Health Service Executive in the Republic of Ireland - https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus
* The Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland - https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus
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