Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 was identified in December 2019 and declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020.
Type and severity of symptoms of an active COVID-19 infection vary greatly between individuals depending on the age, gender, and underlying medical conditions. The most commonly reported ones include fever, loss of smell, coughing, sore throat, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, feeling weak or lethargic, chills, muscle pain, light-headedness or dizziness, headache, vomiting or diarrhea, slurred speech, and/or seizures. Less common symptoms include stuffy nose, conjunctivitis (pink eye), dizziness, confusion, abdominal pain, and skin rashes or discoloration of fingers or toes.
As we continue to see transmission of the virus within different communities, we know that everyone must take precautions. In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within communities and across the country, all Canadians are advised to: