COVID-19 was declared a pandemic on March 11. The announcement was made by the World Health Organization (WHO).
What is a pandemic?
A pandemic is the “worldwide spread of a new disease,” said the WHO. COVID-19 is a new virus and disease. It spread to many countries around the world at the same time.
After 120,00 cases and 4,300 deaths were reported, the WHO called it a pandemic.
What does COVID-19 mean?
- CO means corona
- VI means virus
- D means disease
- 19 means 2019
The COVID-19 outbreak first appeared in Wuhan, China in December 2019.
COVID-19 is spread when someone with the virus coughs or sneezes near you. The droplets from sneezing or coughing can enter your body through your eyes, nose or throat. Symptoms include a fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
Adapted from World Health Organization • Photo: Pixabay/Gerd Altmann