COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus disease, is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and has since spread to become a global pandemic.
Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe and can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and loss of taste or smell. Some people may be asymptomatic and can spread the virus without showing any symptoms. The virus primarily spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, but it can also spread through close contact with an infected person or by touching a surface or object contaminated with the virus and then touching your face.