Knowing the signs and symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is very important especially during this time when there is a surge in cases.

This information from the World Health Organization (WHO) may be of help.

Most common symptoms of COVID-19:

• Fever     
• Dry cough     
• Fatigue

Other symptoms that are less common and may affect some patients include:

• Loss of taste or smell     
• Nasal congestion     
• Conjunctivitis (also known as red eyes)     
• Sore throat     
• Headache     
• Muscle or joint pain     
• Different types of skin rash     
• Nausea or vomiting     
• Diarrhea     
• Chills or dizziness

Symptoms of severe COVID‐19 disease include:

• Shortness of breath     
• Loss of appetite     
• Confusion     
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest     
• High temperature (above 38 °C)

Other less common symptoms are:

•  Irritability     
• Confusion    
• Reduced consciousness (sometimes associated with seizures)     
• Anxiety     
• Depression     
• Sleep disorders     
• More severe and rare neurological complications such as strokes, brain inflammation, delirium and nerve damage

WHO said those who experience fever and/or cough associated with difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, or loss of speech or movement should seek medical care immediately.

"If possible, call your health care provider, hotline or health facility first, so you can be directed to the right clinic," it said.

The Department of Health, however, said that some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell.

It advised the public to protect oneself against COVID-19 by observing the minimum health standards such as wearing of face masks, washing of hands, and observing safe physical distancing

The DOH has recorded more than 5,000 new COVID-19 cases on March 15.