Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus.

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause illnesses such as the common cold, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). In 2019, a new coronavirus was identified as the cause of a disease outbreak that originated in China.

The virus is now known as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease it causes is called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Cases of COVID-19 have been reported in a growing number of countries. Public health groups, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are monitoring the situation and posting updates on their websites. WHO declared a global pandemic in March 2020. These groups have also issued recommendations for preventing and treating the illness.

Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment.  Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching your face. 

The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette.

Causes

It's unclear exactly how contagious the new coronavirus is. It appears to spread from person to person among those in close contact. It may be spread by respiratory droplets released when someone with the virus coughs or sneezes.

It may also be spread if a person touches a surface with the virus on it and then touches his or her mouth, nose or eyes.

Risk factors

Risk factors for COVID-19 appear to include:

• Recent travel from or residence in an area with ongoing community spread of COVID-19 as determined by CDC or WHO
• Close contact with someone who has COVID-19 — such as when a family member or health care worker takes care of an infected person

Source - https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

Source - https://www.mayoclinic.org/

The COVID-19 virus affects different people in different ways.  COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and most infected people will develop mild to moderate symptoms and recover without requiring special treatment.  People who have underlying medical conditions and those over 60 years old have a higher risk of developing severe disease and death.

Common symptoms include:

• fever
• tiredness
• Dry cough.
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Other symptoms include:

• Aches and pains
• Sore throat
• and very few people will report diarrhoea, nausea or a runny nose.

People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should self-isolate and contact their medical provider or a COVID-19 information line for advice on testing and referral.

The severity of COVID-19 symptoms can range from very mild to severe. Some people have no symptoms. People who are older or have existing chronic medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease or diabetes, may be at higher risk of serious illness. This is similar to what is seen with other respiratory illnesses, such as influenza.

People with fever, cough or difficulty breathing should call their doctor and seek medical attention.

When to see a doctor

Contact your doctor or clinic right away if you have COVID-19 symptoms, you've been exposed to someone with COVID-19, or you live in or have traveled from an area with ongoing community spread of COVID-19 as determined by CDC and WHO. Call your doctor ahead to tell him or her about your symptoms and recent travels and possible exposure before you go to your appointment.

Anyone with respiratory symptoms who hasn't been in an area with ongoing community spread can contact his or her doctor or clinic for further recommendations and guidance. Let your doctor know if you have other chronic medical conditions. As the pandemic progresses, it's important to make sure health care is available for those in greatest need

Source - https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

To prevent infection and to slow transmission of COVID-19, do the following:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol-based hand rub.
• Maintain at least 1 metre distance between you and people coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
• Stay home if you feel unwell.
• Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.
• Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.

Source - https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

Although there is no vaccine available to prevent infection with the new coronavirus, you can take steps to reduce your risk of infection. WHO and CDC recommend following these precautions for avoiding COVID-19:

• Avoid large events and mass gatherings.
• Avoid close contact (about 6 feet) with anyone who is sick or has symptoms.
• Keep distance between yourself and others if COVID-19 is spreading in your community, especially if you have a higher risk of serious illness.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw away the used tissue.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth if your hands aren't clean.
• Avoid sharing dishes, glasses, bedding and other household items if you're sick.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces you often touch on a daily basis.
• Stay home from work, school and public areas if you're sick, unless you're going to get medical care. Avoid taking public transportation if you're sick.

If you have a chronic medical condition and may have a higher risk of serious illness, check with your doctor about other ways to protect yourself.

Source - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/symptoms-causes/syc-20479963

COVID-19 Visualizer Click on a country or territory to see cases, deaths, and recoveries.

Research and data on Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) 

Source - https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/total-deaths-covid-19

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Situation Dashboard

Source - https://experience.arcgis.com/

Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Awareness Video

https://youtu.be/mOV1aBVYKGA

Video - CORONAVIRUS COVID 19 AWARENESS

Source - WHO

How to protect yourself from COVID-19

Source: World Health Organization

TELEWORK AND TELECOMMUTING ELEARNING COURSE

Course Provider - READ Academy (www.readacademy.net)

The show must go on…the given statement has been in style but when it comes to leading your organization through the Coronavirus cycle it is not well served for every able citizen needs to be reminded that doing nothing is not an option and most importantly not sustainable. With COVID-19 on the rise and for millions of people around the world starting to work from home, READ presents the ‘Telework and Telecommuting eLearning course free for anyone who might feel the need for training on the differences of working options from home.

Working in a home office requires a unique set of skills. Teleworkers or virtual employees have additional challenges created by not being in a centralized office. Communication issues alone make it a challenging job and recognizing these challenges will help participants become great teleworkers.

READ Academy presents a 12 module, one-day interactive, case study based Telework and Telecommuting workshop; the attendees will see a great improvement in their performance and well-being. Being a teleworker does have the advantages of flexible schedules, no commute, and saving the company money. Your participants will establish the additional skills needed to be successful in their work from home environment.  Below are the workshop objectives and the course content.

Workshop Objectives:

• Know the skills required for working outside the office
• Learn keys to proper self-management
• Learn ways to manage time efficiently
• Know different methods of organization and planning
• Identify various forms of communication and their proper use
• Address and resolve challenges that teleworkers can face

Module One:Getting Started

• Workshop Objectives
• Housekeeping Items
• The parking lot
• Pre-Assignment
• Action Plans and Evaluations

Module Two: Core Skills Required

• Self-Management
• Time Management
• Organizing and Planning
• Communication
• Case Study
• Module Two: Review Questions

Module Three: Self-Management (I)

• Solving Problems on Your Own
• Being and Staying Motivated
• You Have More Freedom, Don’t Abuse It
• You and Only You are Accountable
• Case Study
• Module Three: Review Questions

Module Four: Self-Management (II)

• Recognize and Remove Bad Habits
• Reflect on Mistakes, and Learn from Them
• Establish Good Habits
• Be Assertive with Yourself
• Case Study
• Module Four: Review Questions

Module Five: Time Management (I)

• Build a Little Flexibility Into Your Schedule
• Identify and Remove Time Wasters
• Working with Time Zones
• Using Free Time Wisely
• Case Study
• Module Five: Review Questions

Module Six: Time Management (II)

• The Urgent/Important Matrix
• Setting and Sticking to Deadlines
• The Glass Jar: Rocks, Pebbles, Sand, and Water
• Recognize When You are Procrastinating
• Case Study
• Module Six: Review Questions

Module Seven: Organization and Planning (I)

• Plan for Additional Stress
• When to Seek Help
• Being Proactive, not Reactive
• Establish Priorities and Attainable Goals
• Case Study
• Module Seven: Review Questions

Module Eight: Organization and Planning (II)

• Setting up Your Home Office
• Remove Unneeded or Distracting Items
• When Technology Fails?
• Develop a Normal Working Day
• Case Study
• Module Eight: Review Questions

Module Nine: Communication (I)

• Stay in the Loop
• Use the Correct Medium
• Be Clear and To the Point
• Virtual Communication Can Be Impersonal
• Case Study
• Module Nine: Review Questions

Module Ten: Communication (II)

• Open and Frequent Communication
• Share Your Information
• Have a Collaborative Attitude
• Setting Expectations with Family and Friends
• Case Study
• Module Ten: Review Questions

Module Eleven: Additional Challenges

• Building Trust and Rapport
• Feeling Isolated
• Always in the Office
• Lack of or Less Feedback
• Case Study
• Module Eleven: Review Questions

Module Twelve: Wrapping Up

• Words from the Wise
• Review of Parking Lot
• Lessons Learned
• Completion of Action Plans and Evaluations

Assessment

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Testing In India  (An inititative by DoctorC - https://doctorc.in/

Central Helpline numbers - India