March 7, 2020 – Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE)

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

COVID-19 is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. The information provided is based on current guidance and is subject to change. (Created 3-6-2020).

What Do We Know About Coronaviruses?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses – some cause illness in people, and others only infect animals. Some coronaviruses infect animals
then spread to people, and then spread person to person such as:
• Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)
• Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
• Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Common coronaviruses include some that cause mild upper-respiratory illnesses, like the common cold.

What is COVID-19?

Coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a new coronavirus first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.

Initial case-patients reported visiting a large seafood and live animal market in Wuhan.

How Does COVID-19 Spread?

COVID-19 spreads the same way the flu and other respiratory diseases spread:
• Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
• Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).