COVID-19 is the disease caused by the new coronavirus that emerged in China in December 2019. COVID-19 symptoms include cough, fever and shortness of breath. COVID-19 can be severe, and some cases have caused death. The new coronavirus can be spread from person to person. It is diagnosed with a laboratory test. There is no coronavirus vaccine yet. Prevention involves frequent hand-washing, coughing into the bend of your elbow and staying home when you are sick.