What is coronavirus?
COVID-19 is a type of coronavirus. It can affect people's lungs and airways, but seems to have less effect on children and young people.
The symptoms are usually:
- a high fever
- a cough you haven’t had before
- losing your sense of taste or smell.
There’s been a new strain of COVID-19 spreading across the UK that’s been much more infectious. This means that it’s been much easier to catch COVID-19.
1 in 3 with coronavirus might not have any symptoms at all – so it’s important to keep social distancing even if you’re healthy.
Even though it’s more infectious, most people who get COVID-19 or coronavirus will recover fully. But it’s still important to follow social distancing to protect everyone and stop the spread.
What is social distancing?
Social distancing means keeping space between people you don’t live with, especially if someone might be unwell.
This helps to stop germs spreading from one person to another, and keeps everyone safer.
There are lots of ways to social distance:
Get more advice on social distancing from the NHS website.
If you’re feeling unwell
If you or someone you live with has symptoms of COVID-19, don’t go to your doctor or GP unless you’re told to.
Talk to an adult you trust about it and find out whether you can take a test. Remember, if you’re not sure if you have it, you’ll still need to self-isolate. You can get more advice on what to do on the NHS website.
Coping kit
Sport and exercise