article about corona virus

1. Coronavirus / COVID-19
Origin - Symptoms - Prevention
What are Coronaviruses?
Coronavirusesare typesof virusesthattypically affect the respiratory tracts of
birdsand mammals,includinghumans.Researchersfirstisolated a coronavirus
in1937. Theyfounda coronavirusresponsible foraninfectiousbronchitis virus
inbirdsthat had the abilitytodevastate poultrystocks.Doctorsassociate them
with the common cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, and severe acute respiratory
syndrome (SARS), and they can also affect the gut. These viruses are typically
responsible for common colds more than serious diseases. However,
coronaviruses are also behind some more severe outbreaks. Over the last 70
years,scientistshave foundthatcoronavirusescaninfectmice,rats, dogs, cats,
turkeys, horses, pigs, and cattle. Sometimes, these animals can transmit
coronaviruses to humans.
What is a novel coronavirus?
A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. On 8 December 2019, authorities
identifiedanewcoronavirusoutbreak in China that quickly reached other countries. It was a novel virus that was given
the name COVID-19. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that
commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.
What is COVID-19 – the illness that started in Wuhan?
It iscausedby a memberof the coronavirusfamilythathasneverbeenencountered before. Like other coronaviruses, it
has come from animals. Many of those initially infected either worked or frequently shopped in the Huanan seafood
wholesale market in the centre of the Chinese city.
Among humans, coronavirus infections most often occur during the winter months and early spring. People regularly
become ill with a cold due to a coronavirus and may catch the same one about 4 months later. This is because
coronavirusantibodiesdo not last for a long time. Also, the antibodies for one strain of coronavirus may be ineffective
against another one.
Who is WHO?
The spread of this new coronavirus is being monitored by the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health
Organization and health organizations like Johns Hopkins across the globe. On Jan. 30, the World Health Organization
declared the COVID-19 outbreak a public health emergency. The Director-General also noted that the risk of serious
complicationsincreaseswithage.Accordingtothe WHO,few childrengetCOVID-19,althoughtheyare still investigating
the reasons for this.
Symptoms and Treatment
Symptoms typicallystartappearing within14days of exposure to the virus.Cold- orflu-like symptomsusually set in from
2–4 daysaftera coronavirusinfectionandare typicallymild.However,symptomsvaryfromperson-to-person, and some
formsof the viruscan be fatal.Symptoms include: sneezing, runny nose, fatigue, cough, fever in rare cases, sore throat
exacerbated asthma. In rare cases, COVID-19 can lead to severe respiratory problems, kidney failure or death.
A doctor can diagnose the virus responsible by taking a sample of respiratory fluids, such as mucus from the nose, or
blood.There isnocure for Covid-19,sotreatmentsinclude self-care andover-the-counter (OTC) medication. People can
take several steps, including: resting and avoiding overexertion, drinking enough water, avoiding smoking and smoky
areas,takingacetaminophen,ibuprofen,ornaproxenforpainand fever, using a clean humidifier or cool mist vaporizer.
Transmission
Coronavirusescanspreadinthe followingways:Coughingandsneezing without covering the mouth which can disperse
dropletsintothe air.Touchingor shakinghandswitha personwho has the virus can pass the virus between individuals.
Making contact with a surface or object that has the virus and then touching the nose, eyes, or mouth

2. Getting a Diagnosis
If you have a fever or any kind of respiratory difficulty such as coughing or shortness of breath, call your doctor or a
healthcare providerandexplainyoursymptomsoverthe phone before goingtothe doctor’soffice,urgentcare facilityor
emergency room.
Overthe phone,be sure to tell themif youhave travelled outside the countryinthe last14 days,particularlyto countries
affectedbyCOVID-19.Also,be sure totell themif you suspect you have been close (within 6 feet) of someone who has
COVID-19 for an extended period. Your health care provider or the emergency room team will recommend next steps
Prevention
Coronavirusescanmutate effectively,whichmakesthem very contagious.Topreventtransmission,peopleshouldstay at
home and restwhile symptomsare active.They should also avoid close contact with other people. Covering the mouth
and nose witha tissue orhandkerchief whilecoughingor sneezing can also help prevent transmission. It is important to
dispose of any tissues after use and maintain hygiene around the home.
How can you protect yourself?
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has given the following suggestions:
➢ Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds.
➢ Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.
➢ Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
➢ Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
➢ Stay home when you are sick.
➢ Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects people frequently touch.
Exercise 1: Mark the following statements as True or False according to the text: True False
1. Researchers first isolated a coronavirus in 1973.
2. A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified.
3. COVID-19 by a member of the coronavirus family that has been encountered before.
4. Many of those initially infected visited the Huanan seafood wholesale market in China.
5. Among humans, coronavirus infections most often occur during the summer months.
6. The antibodies for one strain of coronavirus may be ineffective against another one.
7. The Director-General noted that the risk of serious complications increases with age.
8. Symptoms typically start appearing within 40 days of exposure to the virus.
9. In very rare cases COVID-19 can lead to severe respiratory problems, kidney failure or death.
10. A doctor can diagnose the virus responsible by taking a sample of respiratory fluids.
11. Coronaviruses can mutate effectively, which makes them very contagious.
12. There is no way to protect yourself against the virus.
Exercise 2: Read the text again and answer the questions below:
1. What types of viruses are coronaviruses?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
2. When do coronavirus infections occur most often among humans?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Which organisations monitor the COVID-19 outbreak?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
4. When will symptoms typically appear after someone is exposed to COVID-19?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
5. What should you do if you start having symptoms that are associated with COVID-19?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Exercise 3: Choose the right answer
1. Coronavirusesare typesof virusesthataffectthe ________________ tracts of birdsand mammals,includinghumans.
a. arteries b. swallowing c. respiratory d. liver
2. In 1937, scientists foundacoronavirusresponsibleforaninfectious ________________ virusinbirds.
a. bronchitis b. meningitis c. appendicitis d. colitis
3. A ________________ coronavirusisa newcoronavirusthathas not beenpreviouslyidentified.
a. unknown b unknown c. unidentified d. threatening
4. On 8 December2019, authoritiesidentifiedanew coronavirus ________________ inChina
a. epidemic b. outbreak c. pandemic d. breakout
5. Many of those initiallyinfectedworkedorfrequentlyshoppedinthe Huanan ________________ wholesalemarket.
a. textile b. groceries c. fruit d. fruit seafood
6. People regularlybecomeill withacolddue toa _______________and may catch the same one about4 monthslater.
a. virus b. coronavirus c. SARS virus d. Covid virus
7. The spreadof thisnewcoronavirusisbeingmonitoredbythe Centresfor________________ Control (CDC).
a. Deterrent b. Death c. Disease d. Doctors
8. The Director-General alsonotedthatthe riskof serious ________________ increaseswithage.
a. complications b. complications c. problems d. fatalities
9. Symptoms typicallystartappearing within14days of ________________ to the virus.
a. infection b. exposure c. contamination d. contagion
10. Flu-likesymptomsusuallysetinfrom2–4 daysafter a coronavirusinfectionandare typically ________________.
a. strong b. life-threatening c. mild d. severe
11. Coughingandsneezingwithoutcoveringthe mouthcandisperse ________________ intothe air.
a. microbes b. viruses c. droplets d. saliva
12. If you have a feveror anykindof ________________ difficulty youshould call yourdoctor.
a. sleeping b. respiratory c. walking d. seeing
13. Coronavirusescanmutate effectively,whichmakesthem very ________________
a. poisonous b. lethal c. dangerous d. contagious
14. Coveringthe mouthcan helpprevent ________________.
a. death b. transmission c. mutation d. pandemic
15. It isimportantto dispose of any ________________ afteruse and maintainhygienearoundthe home.
a. tissues b. handkerchiefs c. towels d. sheets

4. Exercise 4: Complete the crossword belowusingwords from the text
1 2 3
4 5
6
7
8
9
10 11
12 13
14 15 16 17
18
19
20
Down
2. The Director-General noted that the risk of serious
__________ increases with age.
3. In rarecases,COVID-19 can lead to severe respiratory
problems, ______ failureor death.
4. Many of those initially infected either worked or
visited the Huanan _____wholesale market.
7. Covering the mouth and nose with a tissueor ______
whilecoughing can help prevent transmission.
8. Symptoms typically startappearingwithin 14 days of
_______ to the virus.
11. Coronavirus _______ do not last for a longtime.
13. Symptoms include:sneezing, runny nose, fatigue,
cough, fever in rare cases,sorethroat exacerbated
_______.
15. A _____ coronavirus isa new coronavirusthathas
not been previously identified.
17. Among humans,coronavirus infectionsmostoften
occur duringthe winter months and early_____.
Across
1. Avoid _________ your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
4. Scientists havefound that coronaviruses can infectmice, rats,dogs,
cats,turkeys, horses, pigs,and__________.
5. COVID-19 is not the same as the coronaviruses thatcommonly
circulateamong humans and cause______ illness.
6. If you have a fever or any kind of __________difficulty such as
coughingor shortness of breath, call your doctor.
9. To prevent_________, people should stay athome and rest while
symptoms are active.
10. ____________ aretypes of viruses thattypically affectthe
respiratory tracts of birds and mammals.
12. On Jan. 30, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19
_________a public health emergency.
14. Treatments includeself-careand over-the-________ (OTC)
medication.
16. In 1937 researchers found a coronavirus responsiblefor an
infectious _______________virus in birds.
18. Coronaviruses can _________effectively, which makes them very
contagious.
19. Use alcohol-based hand _______ if soap and water aren’t available.
20. Like other coronaviruses,COVID-19 has comefrom________.

5. ANSWER KEY:
Exercise 1: True or False key
1. F
2. T
3. F
4. T
5. F
6. T
7. T
8. F
9. T
10. T
11. T
12. F
Exercise 2: Answer key
1. Coronaviruses are types of viruses that typically affect the respiratory tracts of birds and mammals, including humans.
2. Among humans, coronavirus infections most often occur during the winter months and early spring.
3. The spread of thisnewcoronavirusisbeingmonitored by the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization and
health organizations like Johns Hopkins across the globe.
4. Symptoms typically start appearing within 14 days of exposure to the virus.
5. If you havea fever or any kind of respiratorydifficulty such ascoughingor shortnessof breath,you shouldcall your doctor or a health
care provider and explain your symptoms over the phone before going to the doctor’s office.
Exercise 3: Choose the right answer
1. Coronavirusesaretypes of virusesthataffectthe c.respiratory tractsof birdsand mammals,includinghumans.
2. In 1937,scientistsfounda coronavirusresponsiblefor aninfectious a.bronchitis virusinbirds.
3. A b. novel coronavirusisa newcoronavirus thathasnotbeen previouslyidentified.
4. On 8 December 2019,authoritiesidentified a newcoronavirus b.outbreak inChina
5. Many of thoseinitially infected workedor frequently shopped in theHuanan d.seafood wholesalemarket.
6. Peopleregularly becomeill with a cold dueto a b.coronavirus andmay catch thesameoneabout4 months later.
7. The spread of thisnewcoronavirusisbeingmonitored by theCentres for c.DiseaseControl (CDC).
8. The Director-General also noted thattherisk of serious a.complicationsincreaseswith age.
9. Symptoms typically startappearingwithin14 daysof b.exposureto thevirus.
10. Cold- or flu-likesymptomsusually setin from2–4 daysafter a coronavirusinfection and aretypically c.mild.
11. Coughingand sneezingwithoutcovering themouth can dispersec.droplets into theair.
12. If you havea fever or any kind of b.respiratory difficulty you shouldcallyour doctor.
13. Coronavirusescan mutateeffectively,which makesthemvery d.contagious
14. Coveringthemouth can help prevent b.transmission.
15. Itis importantto disposeof any a.tissues after useandmaintain hygienearoundthehome.
Exercise 4: Crossword KEy
Down
2.The Director-General noted thattherisk of serious
__________ increaseswith age.(complications)
3.In rarecases,COVID-19can lead to severerespiratory
problems,______failureor death.(kidney)
4.Many of thoseinitially infected either worked or
visited theHuanan _____wholesalemarket.(seafood)
7.Coveringthemouth and nosewith a tissueor ______
whilecoughingcan help preventtransmission.
(handkerchief)
8.Symptoms typically startappearingwithin 14 daysof
_______ to the virus.(exposure)
11.Coronavirus_______ do notlastfor a longtime.
(antibodies)
13.Symptoms include:sneezing,runny nose,fatigue,
cough,fever in rarecases,sorethroatexacerbated
_______. (asthma)
15.A _____ coronavirusisa newcoronavirusthathas
notbeen previously identified.(novel)
17.Among humans,coronavirusinfectionsmostoften
occur duringthewinter monthsand early_____.(spring)
Across
1.Avoid _________ your eyes,noseor mouth with unwashed hands.(touching)
4.Scientistshavefound thatcoronaviruses can infectmice,rats,dogs,cats,
turkeys,horses,pigs,and__________. (syndrome)
5.COVID-19 isnotthesameas thecoronaviruses thatcommonly circulate
amonghumansand cause______ illness.(mild)
6.If you havea fever or any kind of __________difficulty such ascoughingor
shortnessof breath,call yourdoctor.(respiratory)
9.To prevent_________, peopleshouldstay athomeand restwhilesymptoms
areactive.(transmission)
10.____________ aretypes of virusesthattypically affecttherespiratory tracts
of birds andmammals.(coronaviruses)
12.On Jan.30,the World HealthOrganizationdeclared the COVID-19
_________a publichealth emergency.(outbreak)
14.Treatments includeself-careand over-the-________(OTC) medication.
(counter)
16.In 1937 researchersfound a coronavirusresponsiblefor an infectious
_______________virus in birds.(bronchitis)
18.Coronavirusescan _________effectively,which makesthemvery
contagious.(mutate)
19.Usealcohol-based hand _______ if soap and water aren’tavailable.
(sanitizer)
20.Likeother coronaviruses,COVID-19hascomefrom________. (animals)