What is a novel coronavirus?

A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold. A diagnosis with coronavirus 229E, NL63, OC43, or HKU1 is not the same as a COVID-19 diagnosis. Patients with COVID-19 will be evaluated and cared for differently than

Face à l’infection, il existe des gestes pour se protéger, pour faire barrière au coronavirus :

• Se laver les mains très régulièrement
• Se distancier d’au moins un mètre de chaque autre personne autour de soi
• Tousser ou éternuer dans son coude ou dans un mouchoir
• Saluer sans se serrer la main, éviter les embrassades
• Utiliser des mouchoirs à usage unique et les jeter
• Eviter les rassemblements, limiter les déplacements et les contacts

YOWLI BURUNDI is alert to WHO continuous monitoring and response to this outbreak. This Q&A will be updated as more is known about COVID-19, how it spreads and how it is affecting people worldwide. For more information, check back regularly on WHO’s coronavirus pages.

What is a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans.  In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19.