The world is currently caught in the grip of a coronavirus – COVID-19 – which has infected millions of people, including thousands of Australians, after originating in China late last year.
“Coronavirus” is a name given to a family of viruses, so named because it appears to have crownlike protrusions when viewed under a microscope (“corona” is Latin for “crown”).
This family of viruses includes the common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The current outbreak, which has been named COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), is a “novel” – or new – strain of the virus, thought to have been initially transmitted to humans from animals in Hubei Province, China.
The WHO has classified it as a pandemic.
The virus has significantly disrupted economies around the world, as countries introduce strict “social distancing” measures to try and curb its spread.
Australians are now learning to live with a “new normal” of border closures, restrictions on movement, and impacts on social gatherings.
Australian Government Department of Health Coronavirus (COVID-19) information
World Health Organisation’s COVID-19 situation map
World Health Organisation’s Coronavirus information
Symptoms of COVID-19 can vary depending on many factors. The Australian Department of Health states that symptoms can range from a mild illness,
which may include flu-like symptoms, to pneumonia (an infection of the lungs).
“Some people will recover easily, and others may get very sick very quickly,” it states.
“People with coronavirus may experience fever, flu-like symptoms such as coughing, sore throat and fatigue, and shortness of breath.”
However, people exhibiting those symptoms are being advised to use the government’s COVID-19 symptom checker before phoning your GP (do not visit without calling first) or the National Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 020 080.
The virus is thought to spread in the same way as the common cold does, although it is considered to be more contagious. The Department of Health states that the virus is most likely spread through:
Close contact with an infectious person
Contact with droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze
Touching objects or surfaces (like doorknobs or tables) that have cough or sneeze droplets from an infected person, and then touching your mouth or face
Budgeting & Saving Money - September 7th
As the number of Australian cases continues to fluctuate, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced Victoria to extend its state of emergency while other states are working to contain various clusters and outbreaks. In an effort to...
– Read more
Canstar News - September 2nd
What exactly is a recession? The technical definition used by economists is two consecutive quarters (two, 3-month periods) when an economy declines. In other words, two consecutive quarters of declines in GDP or gross domestic product....
– Read more
Budgeting & Saving Money - August 25th
Most health insurers have delayed their annual premium increases, normally scheduled for 1 April, by at least six months for all customers. This means most people’s premiums will not increase until around 1 October this year,...
– Read more
Coronavirus - August 24th
Superannuation is powerful. More than half of my net wealth is in superannuation. If I have any regrets about my investment portfolio, it is not contributing more to superannuation when I was younger. Yet last week...
– Read more
Coronavirus - August 19th
The world is hoping a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine will soon become available. So far, more than 160 candidate vaccines are in development. Some 31 of these have entered human clinical trials. One of them...
– Read more5 ways to save money during the coronavirus lockdown
Working from home: The deductions you may be able to claim
Finance help: Sage advice for uncertain times
Coronavirus opens up big traps for investors
How to Minimise Portfolio Risk During the Coronavirus Epidemic
10 ways to make the most of staying at home