COVID-19 is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever,[7] fatigue, cough, breathing difficulties, loss of smell, and loss of taste.[8][9][10] Symptoms may begin one to fourteen days after exposure to the virus. At least a third of people who are infected do not develop noticeable symptoms.[11][12] Of those who develop symptoms noticeable enough to be classified as patients, most (81%) develop mild to moderate symptoms (up to mild pneumonia), while 14% develop severe symptoms (dyspnea, hypoxia, or more than 50% lung involvement on imaging), and 5% develop critical symptoms (respiratory failure, shock, or multiorgan dysfunction).[13] Older people have a higher risk of developing severe symptoms. Some complications result in death. Some people continue to experience a range of effects (long COVID) for months or years after infection, and damage to organs has been observed.[14] Multi-year studies on the long-term effects are ongoing.[15]
COVID‑19 transmission occurs when infectious particles are breathed in or come into contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth. The risk is highest when people are in close proximity, but small airborne particles containing the virus can remain suspended in the air and travel over longer distances, particularly indoors. Transmission can also occur when people touch their eyes, nose, or mouth after touching surfaces or objects that have been contaminated by the virus. People remain contagious for up to 20 days and can spread the virus even if they do not develop symptoms.[16]
Testing methods for COVID-19 to detect the virus’s nucleic acid include real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‑PCR),[17][18] transcription-mediated amplification,[17][18][19] and reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT‑LAMP)[17][18] from a nasopharyngeal swab.[20]
Several COVID-19 vaccines have been approved and distributed in various countries, many of which have initiated mass vaccination campaigns. Other preventive measures include physical or social distancing, quarantining, ventilation of indoor spaces, use of face masks or coverings in public, covering coughs and sneezes, hand washing, and keeping unwashed hands away from the face. While drugs have been developed to inhibit the virus, the primary treatment is still symptomatic, managing the disease through supportive care, isolation, and experimental measures.
read moreHorizon is honoured to receive the UWC Award for Peace Education and Sustainability in Education 2025. This award recognises Horizon’s contribution to building and strengthening the UWC movement and supporting its mission.
The award was officially announced at the UWC International Gala 2025 held at International House in New York on 8 May 2025 and was presented by Rev Nontombi Naomi Tutu. Horizon scholars Donia Khraishi (UWC Maastricht 2015-2017), Dima Muamar (UWC Maastricht 2020-2022), Yewong Dongchung (UWC Atlantic 2007-2009) and Tsethar Fnu (UWC USA 2017-2019) collected the award on Horizon’s behalf.
More info can be found HERE.
read moreHorizon held two gatherings for its scholars earlier this year. Scholars from UWC Atlantic joined Horizon staff for an Iftar meal in March at a Lebanese restaurant in central London (pictured). This gave scholars the opportunity for a short sight-seeing trip in town and a welcome break from the demands of their studies and exam preparations.
In addition, Horizon’s CEO, Samia El Tabari attended the UWC Maastricht graduation ceremony in May to celebrate the achievements of the three scholars who completed their studies. She also met with Horizon’s other scholars and UWC Maastricht staff during her stay.
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