What is COVID-19? 

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus. ‘CO’ stands for corona, ‘VI’ for the virus, and
‘D’ for the disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as ‘2019 novel coronavirus’ or ‘2019-nCoV.’
The COVID-19 virus is a new virus linked to the same family of viruses as Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS) and some types of the common cold.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19? 

Symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, the infection can cause
pneumonia or breathing difficulties. More rarely, the disease can be fatal. These symptoms are similar to
the flu (influenza) or the common cold, which are a lot more common than COVID-19. This is why testing
is required to confirm if someone has COVID-19.

How does COVID-19 spread? 

The virus is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (generated
through coughing and sneezing). Individuals can also be infected from and touching surfaces
contaminated with the virus and touching their face (e.g., eyes, nose, mouth). The COVID-19 virus may
survive on surfaces for several hours, but simple disinfectants can kill it.

Who is most at risk? 

We are learning more about how COVID-19 affects people every day.  Older people, and people with
chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, appear to be more at risk of developing
severe symptoms.  As this is a new virus, we are still learning about how it affects children. We know people of any age can be infected with the virus, but so far there are relatively few cases of
COVID-19 reported among children. This is a new virus and we need to learn more about how it affects
children. The virus can be fatal in rare cases, so far mainly among older people with pre-existing medical conditions.

What is the treatment for COVID-19? 

There is no currently available vaccine for COVID-19. However, many of the symptoms can be treated
and getting early care from a healthcare provider can make the disease less dangerous. Several clinical trials are being conducted to evaluate potential therapeutics for COVID-19.
How can the spread of COVID-19 be slowed down or prevented?
As with other respiratory infections like the flu or the common cold, public health measures are critical to
slow the spread of illnesses. Public health measures are everyday preventive actions that include:
✓ staying home when sick;
✓ covering mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing. Dispose of
used tissue immediately;
✓ washing hands often with soap and water, and
✓ cleaning frequently touched surfaces and objects.
As we learn more about COVID-19 public health officials may recommend additional actions.



prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 in school settings; however, care must also be taken to avoid
stigmatizing students and staff who may have been exposed to the virus. It is important to remember that
COVID-19 does not differentiate between borders, ethnicities, disability status, age or gender. Education
settings should continue to be welcoming, respectful, inclusive, and supportive environments to all.
Measures taken by schools can prevent the entry and spread of COVID-19 by students and staff who may
have been exposed to the virus, while minimizing disruption and protecting students and staff from
discrimination.
Purpose
Today, children and young people are global citizens, powerful agents of change and the next generation
of caregivers, scientists, and doctors. Any crisis presents the opportunity to help them learn, cultivate
compassion and increase resilience while building a safer and more caring community. Having
information and facts about COVID-19 will help diminish students’ fears and anxieties around the disease
and support their ability to cope with any secondary impacts in their lives. This guide provides key
messages and considerations for engaging school administrators, teachers and staff, parents, caregivers, and community members, as well as children themselves in promoting safe and healthy schools.
The purpose of this document is to provide clear and actionable guidance for safe operations through the
prevention, early detection, and control of COVID-19 in schools and other educational facilities. The
guidance, while specific to countries that have already confirmed the transmission of COVID-19, is still
relevant in all other contexts. Education can encourage students to become advocates for disease
prevention and control at home, in school, and in their community by talking to others about how to
prevent the spread of viruses. Maintaining safe school operations or reopening schools after a closure
requires many considerations but, if done well, can promote public health.

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