About COVID-19
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by the
SARS-CoV-2 virus.
While most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment, some may become seriously ill and require medical attention.
Although anyone can get sick with COVID-19 and become seriously ill at any age, those more likely to develop serious illness include:
- older people (60 years and older)
- those with underlying medical conditions like:
- cardiovascular (heart) disease
- diabetes
- chronic (long-term) respiratory (lung) disease
- cancer
COVID-19 can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing, or breathe.