Public Health Ontario - Novel Coronaviruses
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It first emerged in late 2019 and quickly spread worldwide, resulting in a global pandemic. The virus primarily spreads through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and it can also be transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces. COVID-19 can cause a range of symptoms, from mild respiratory issues to severe pneumonia and multi-organ failure, with older adults and those with underlying health conditions being particularly vulnerable. (PHO, 2025).
