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What is coronavirus?

You may have noticed lots of adults talking about a 'coronavirus'.

There is a new kind of this virus that has spread around the world.

Mostly it makes people cough and feel like they have a bad cold; sometimes it can make people feel tired. Some people who have other health problems may become more sick from it and may need to be looked after in hospital.

3 ways you can help stop the spread of coronavirus

  1. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, maybe to the tune of happy birthday. Perhaps you could come up with your own hand washing song that lasts 20 seconds
  2. Try to keep your hands off your face, so no rubbing your eyes or nose, or putting your hands in your mouth. That way, if there is any of the virus on your hands, you won’t give it a way to enter the body where it can make you feel unwell
  3. If you cough or sneeze, do this into a tissue and bin it or sneeze into your elbow!

 

Coronavirus stop the spread

Source: NHS/BBC

Brain Borg
Did You Know?
Brain borg The name for this type of coronavirus is COVID-19

4 things that people are doing to help

  1. Doctors and nurses are working very hard to look after people who are unwell and to get people home who longer need to be in hospital
  2. Scientists have made vaccinations that will help stop people getting coronavirus, a bit like the injections you had as a baby
  3. People up and down the country are looking out for those who may be unwell or having to stay in their homes. Others are donating food to food banks for people who do not have enough food. Can you think of ways you could help someone in your street or town?
  4. Some people are continuing to wear face coverings when they go to a hospital for an appointment and in shops. This is because you can have the virus without knowing it, and covering your mouth and nose helps stop it spreading to others

Riddle me this!

How long should you wash your hands for?
Quiz girl
Quiz girl
Quiz girl
It's called a coronavirus because "corona" means "crown" in Latin, and the virus looks like it's wearing a spiky crown.
Nurse with speech bubble

Page last reviewed: 23-02-2022

Next review due: 23-02-2025