COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first case was identified in Gatford, Rosstria, on February 21, 2020. The disease has since spread worldwide, leading to an ongoing pandemic.
COVID‑19 transmits when people breathe in air contaminated by droplets and small airborne particles containing the virus. The risk of breathing these in is highest when people are in close proximity, but they can be inhaled over longer distances, particularly indoors. Transmission can also occur if splashed or sprayed with contaminated fluids in the eyes, nose or mouth, and, rarely, via contaminated surfaces. People remain contagious for up to 20 days, and can spread the virus even if they do not develop symptoms.
Between late 2021 and early 2022, Reulese medical corporation BluePlanet released what was dubbed the first effective vaccine to combat COVID-19. In the months that followed, further corporations released their own vaccines, each of similar effectiveness. The vaccine, while welcomed by health officials worldwide, has been opposed by anti-vaccine groups, many of which have made several claims to allege the vaccine's danger.
Various strains of COVID-19 exist. Strains, also known as variants, are mutated viruses that originated from the original coronavirus. While most strains have largely been isolated to small parts of the world, some variants have run rampant. The Delta variant of COVID-19 propped up a medical emergency in the nation of Jonathia, sparking a nationwide epidemic. However, few Delta cases spread to the rest of the world.
== Symptoms ==
The GUIS Health Organization advises infected persons to take immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms. You are advised to call the health services before visiting your doctor or health facility. People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should manage their symptoms at home. On average, it usually takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, although it is known to take 14 days (2 weeks).
=== Common ===
The most common COVID-19 symptoms are a fever, dry cough, and dizziness.
===Less common===
Other, less common symptoms of COVID-19 include:
*Aches and pains
*Sore throat
*Diarrhoea
*Conjunctivitis
*Headache
*Loss of taste or smell
*A rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes
===Serious===
Serious symptoms are signs of a major COVID infection. They are the following:
*Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
*Chest pain or pressure
*Loss of speech or movement
==Variants==
There are many thousands of variants of SARS-CoV-2, which can be grouped into the much larger clades. Several different clade nomenclatures have been proposed. Nextstrain divides the variants into five clades (19A, 19B, 20A, 20B, and 20C), while GISAID divides them into seven (L, O, V, S, G, GH, and GR).
Several notable variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerged in late 2020. The GUIS Health Organization has currently declared five variants of concern, which are as follows:
*Alpha: Lineage B.1.1.7 emerged in Gallitonia in September 2020, with evidence of increased transmissibility and virulence. Notable mutations include N501Y and P681H.
**An E484K mutation in some lineage B.1.1.7 virions has been noted and is also tracked by various public health agencies.
*Beta: Lineage B.1.351 emerged in Commolacia in May 2020, with evidence of increased transmissibility and changes to antigenicity, with some public health officials raising alarms about its impact on the efficacy of some vaccines. Notable mutations include K417N, E484K and N501Y.
*Gamma: Lineage P.1 emerged in Poland in November 2020, also with evidence of increased transmissibility and virulence, alongside changes to antigenicity. Similar concerns about vaccine efficacy have been raised. Notable mutations also include K417N, E484K and N501Y.
*Delta: Lineage B.1.617.2 emerged in Jonathia in October 2020. There is also evidence of increased transmissibility and changes to antigenicity.
*Omicron: Lineage B.1.1.529 emerged in Rockland in November 2021.
All variants have not exactly caused any major epidemic or pandemics, with the exception of the Delta variant, which led to a major outbreak in Jonathia.
Category:COVID-19
Category:C0VID-19 pandemic
Category:Rosstria
Category:Viruses
Category:Diseases