Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2  (SARS Cov 2)  is the strain of coronavirus that has caused COVID-19 pandemic. This is a new novel virus and unlike normal seasonal flu there was no immunity in population at the onset of the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Pandemic on 11 March 2020. Originating in Wuhan in China it has spread throughout the world affecting millions and causing the deaths of over 500,000 people.

COVID 19 affects the lungs and airways. The main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. This new disease is passed from human to humans via droplet infection from coughs and sneezes but can also enter our bodies from our hands that have been in contact with contaminated surfaces which we then touch our faces with (eyes, mouth etc). However we can help stop the spread of this disease by washing our hands regularly, coughing or sneezing into our elbows and staying 2 meters apart.

Symptoms vary from person to person with some experiencing no symptoms at all to those who need hospitalisation and medical treatment in the form of oxygen and mechanical ventilation to treat the severe symptoms of this disease.

Please note in order to reduce the risk of transmission, hospitals in Greater Manchester introduced a NO VISITING POLICY during COVID Pandemic except in exceptional circumstances. Please check the hospital websites for more information as these may have eased slightly in recent days.

Recovery from COVID illness

Your Covid recovery is a link to a NHS website that has information to help you understand what happened to you during your illness and what you might expect as part of your recovery. It provides useful information on how COVID -19 infection affects your body and the effects of  a critical care stay on recovery.