In response to the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) in China and elsewhere around the world, VTCT would like to issue guidance to our centres, and partners to prevent as far as possible further spread of the virus.

A coronavirus is a type of respiratory infection. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China in January 2020.

The incubation period of COVID-19 is between 2 and 14 days. This means that if a person remains well 14 days after contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus, it is unlikely that they have been infected.

The following symptoms may develop in the 14 days after exposure to someone who has COVID-19 infection:

COVID-19 seems to start with a fever, followed by a dry cough and then, after a week, leads to shortness of breath.

But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness. The symptoms are similar to other viruses that are much more common, such as colds and flu.