On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced an official name for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, first identified in Wuhan China. The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, “CO” stands for corona, “VI” for virus, and ”D” for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as “2019 novel coronavirus” or “2019-nCoV.”

There are many types of human coronaviruses, including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses. COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans.

If you are taking a PCR test, please do not eat, drink, chew gum, smoke or brush your teeth at least 30 minutes before your mouth swab sample is taken. Not following these steps can contaminate your sample which may result in it needing a retest and therefore, delay your result.

Do

• wash your hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds

• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
• clean objects and surfaces you touch often (such as door handles, kettles and phones) using your regular cleaning products
• consider wearing a face covering when in shared spaces
• keep windows open in the room you’re staying in and shared spaces as much as possible

Don’t

• do not share towels, including hand towels and tea towels