The 2019 Novel Coronavirus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, caused an outbreak of respiratory illness called COVID-19, in Wuhan, China. It has since spread to other parts of China and the world. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that infect birds and mammals (this includes humans!). Typically, they cause mild respiratory symptoms similar to the common cold, but can lead to death, often in those that are already immunocompromised.

While COVID-19 is much more infectious, it appears to be less deadly than SARS or MERS. However, it is more deadly than the annual flu, which has a death rate of less than 1%. This is why it is even more important that if you experience mild symptoms, you should seek medical care right away, and practice hygienic habits to slow the spread of germs and COVID-19 to the people around you.

At this time, we don’t know how fast or easily this virus is spreading between people. More information is discovered everyday, but here’s what we know so far.

Human-to-human transmission is possible

The virus first came from an animal source, but it is now able to spread from human to human.

It travels through droplets in the air

It can infect humans through...