CORONAVIRUS - COVID-19 - READING (INTERMEDIATE)

I.- About Coronavirus

1.- What is a Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases.
Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning that they are transmited between animals and people.





2.- Symptoms

Respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

II.- About COVID-19

3.- What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China in December 2019.

4.- Symptoms of COVID-19

The most common symptoms are fever, tiredness and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild. Some people become infected but don't develop any symptoms. About 80% people recover from the disease without special treatment. Older people and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes are more likely to develop serious illness.

5.- How does COVID-19 spread?

The virus can spread from person to person through droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when someone infected coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person infected. Other people then catch the virus by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breath in droplets from a person with it who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 metre away from a person who is sick.




  III.- Protection measures

- Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. This action kills viruses that may be in your hands.

- Maintain at least 1 metre distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.

- Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

- If you show some COVID-19 symptoms, seek medical attention and call in advance.

- Stay informed and follow advice given by health authorities.



   - Avoid travelling to places where COVID-19 is spreading widely. Especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease.

- If you have recently visited areas where COVID-19 is spreading, follow the guidance outlined above.





  IV.- Should I wear a mask to protect myself?

Only wear a mask if you are ill with COVID-19 symptoms (especially coughing) or looking after someone who may have COVID-19.


Source : https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019



V.- Vocabulary

- Ranging from = Oscilando desde

- Acute = Extremo

- Kidney = Riñón

- Outbreak = Brote

- Tiredness = Cansancio

- Mild = Leve

- Underlying = Subyacente, detrás de algo, oculto.

- Likely = Probable

- Spread = Extenderse

- Droplet = Gotita

- Land = Aterrizar

- Surfaces = Superficies

- Thoroughly = A fondo, a conciencia, de forma minuciosa.

- Sneezing = Estornudando

- Avoid = Evitar

- Cover = Cubrir

- Bent = Curvado, en curva

- Tissue = Pañuelo de papel.

- Dispose of something / somebody = deshacerse de algo / alguien.

- Seek = Buscar

- In advance = Con antelación.

- To follow advice = Seguir consejo

- Widely = Ampliamente

- Guidance = Orientación

- Outlined = Expuestas

- Look after = Cuidar

- Source = Fuente