Respiratory Virus — SARS-CoV-2
About COVID-19
COVID-19 is caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, identified in 2019. Coronaviruses are a family that also causes the common cold, SARS and MERS; the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2020.
COVID-19 and flu are both contagious respiratory illnesses with similar symptoms but different viruses, so testing is needed to tell them apart. Symptoms can appear 2–14 days after exposure.
Symptoms
- Fever or chills
- Cough or shortness of breath
- Fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat, congestion or runny nose
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
Test Options
- SARS-CoV-2 — COVID-19 test panel