Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Home

Coronavirus disease 2019 (abbreviated to COVID-19) is a respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that are common in animals and humans.

COVID-19 was first detected in China in late 2019. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization officially characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic. 

Image from National Institutes of Health

Don't trust everything you read or hear!

There is a lot of misinformation about COVID-19 on the internet and being shared through social media. See the Evaluating Sources page of this guide for help determining whether the information you find is credible.

To learn how to identify and avoid misinformation, see some of the resources below:

Tips for finding reliable information about COVID-19:

• Use the resources linked from this guide. The most reliable information comes from public health officials and scientists who are experts in epidemiology. 
• Check the date. The pandemic is a rapidly-changing situation; information from just a few days ago may no longer be accurate.
• Check multiple sources. Don't rely on just one source of information, especially if it pops up in your social media feed.
• Follow these Twitter accounts for accurate, up-to-date information:
  • Santa Barbara County Public Health Department
  • California Department of Public Health
  • U.S. Centers for Disease Control
  • ​World Health Organization