At the end of December 2019, Chinese public health authorities reported several cases of acute respiratory syndrome in Wuhan City, Hubei province, China. Chinese scientists soon identified a novel coronavirus as the main causative agent. The disease is now referred to as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The initial outbreak in Wuhan spread rapidly, affecting other parts of China. Cases were soon detected in several other countries. Outbreaks and clusters of the disease have since been observed in Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa and the Americas.¹

The virus seems to be transmitted mainly via respiratory droplets that people sneeze, cough, or exhale.²

There is currently no specific treatment for coronavirus; people who develop COVID-19 are treated to relieve the symptoms. Antibiotics do not help, as they do not work against viruses.³

On 11 March 2020, the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.

References

1. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), COVID-19 overview. Read more on the ECDC website
2. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Q & A on COVID-19. Read more on the ECDC website
3. UK National Health System (NHS), Coronavirus (COVID-19). Read more on the NHS website

International healthcare organisations such as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organisations (WHO) have issued guidelines and advice for the public on how to behave during the current COVID-19 global outbreak and on what to do to reduce the risk of catching and spreading the infection.

Since the situation is constantly and rapidly evolving, these guidelines are constantly updated and amended. We therefore recommend you refer to the links below:

• ECDC – Facts about COVID-19
• WHO
  • Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public
• European Commission – Coronavirus response

In addition to the above, national governments of European and non-European countries have published or are publishing country-specific guidelines, measures and actions. Please ensure you contact the local health authorities in the country where you are based for specific advice.

As an example, these are the guidelines published by the UK National Health System (NHS):

• NHS – Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The European Commission, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the national Head of Medicines Agencies (HMA) have published new recommendations for sponsors on how to manage the conduct of clinical trials in the context of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic:

• EC, EMA, HMA – Guidance to sponsors on how to manage clinical trials during the COVID-19 pandemic

Articles from Parkinson's Life online magazine

• Has the pandemic had some positive effects on people with Parkinson’s disease?
• Coronavirus vaccines: key facts for people with Parkinson’s disease
• People with Parkinson’s disease have a higher risk of dying from Covid-19, study finds
• Has COVID-19 impacted access to Parkinson’s medication?
• Coronavirus and treatment for Parkinson’s
• Can COVID-19 increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s?
• “Life isn’t easy”: how coronavirus is affecting women with Parkinson’s
• Ask the expert: are online innovations the future of Parkinson’s treatment?
• 5 Parkinson’s exercise classes for keeping fit in lockdown
• “Covid-19 will change the NHS forever”
• Problems and possibilities: the impact of coronavirus on people with Parkinson’s
• Parkinson’s and the pandemic: your hopes and fears this World Parkinson’s Day
• Mindfulness toolkit: maintaining your mental health during lockdown
• Coronavirus and Parkinson’s: experts answer the big questions
• Coronavirus and Parkinson’s: what you need to know

Multimedia resources

• American Parkinson Disease Association – APDA Parkinson's and COVID-19 Q&A
• Prof Bas Bloem – The impact of COVID-19 for families with Parkinson’s disease on Oruen Journal
• Deutsche Parkinson Vereinigung e.V. – Parkinson und Corona ein Aufklärungsfilm
• Dr A. Q. Rana:
  • Dr. Rana on COVID-19 -1
  • Dr. Rana on COVID-19 -2
  • Dr. Rana on COVID-19 -3
  • Dr. Rana on COVID-19 -4
  • Dr. Rana on COVID-19 -5
  • Dr. Rana on COVID-19 -6
• Fondazione LIMPE per il Parkinson Onlus (Italy)
  • Parkinson giovanile ai tempi del COVID-19: insieme siamo più forti!
  • Webinar series April-May 2020
• Prof Joaquim Ferreira – Parkinson’s and COVID-19 on BIAL's Keep it ON platform
• Prof K Ray Chaudhuri:
  • Clinical impact of COVID-19 on people with Parkinson's, EAN 2020
  • Personalising Parkinson's treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic, EAN 2020
• Larry Gifford – When Life Gives You Parkinson’s podcast: Parkinson’s, parenting and the coronavirus pandemic
• The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
  • COVID-19 Limited Series: The Pandemic and Parkinson’s Research (podcast)
  • COVID-19 Limited Series: The Pandemic and Your Parkinson’s Care (podcast)
  • Information on Coronavirus for the Parkinson's Community (Webinar)
• NEUROfriendly – Dr Mónica Kurtis – La enfermedad de Parkinson y el coronavirus
• Parkinson & Movement Disorder Alliance – Stay Connected Social Distancing Series webinars
• Parkinson's Foundation – Ask the Experts: Coronavirus and Parkinson's disease
• Soania Mathur MD – Covid19 and Parkinson's Disease - What do I need to know?
• Sociedad Española de Neurología (Spanish Neurological Society) – Vídeo sobre COVID para pacientes con Parkinson

Factsheets, articles and advice

• American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) – Coronavirus disease 2019 and the PD community
• Davis Phinney Foundation
  • How to live well with Parkinson's ... even when you're locked down
  • The coronavirus and living well with Parkinson’s
• Federación Española de Párkinson (Spanish Parkinson's Federation) – Información y recomendaciones sobre el COVID-19
• France Parkinson – Dopamine.Care – Mieux vivre le confinement grâce à la communauté France Parkinson
• Gila Bronner, MPH, MSW – Parkinson's disease: three steps to maintaining intimacy during the coronavirus:
  • Part I
  • Part II
  • Part III
• International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) – COVID-19 Pandemic: MDS Statement, References and Resources
• Lietuvos Parkinsono ligos draugija – PARKINSONAS ir KORONAVIRUSAS COVID-19
• The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
  • Michael J. Fox Foundation COVID-19 Resource Hub
  • Ask the MD: Living with Parkinson’s Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic
  • Coronavirus and The Michael J. Fox Foundation
• Norges Parkinsonforbund – Råd til personer med parkinson i forbindelse med koronavirus
• Observatorio Párkinson – Iniciamos el primer estudio sobre COVID-19 y Párkinson
• Parkinson's Foundation:
  • The Coronavirus and Parkinson’s Disease
  • Top Questions and Answers on COVID-19 and Parkinson’s Disease
• Parkinson's News Today
  • Parkinson’s Expert Offers Tips About Enduring the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Information About COVID-19 for Parkinson’s Patients
• Parkinson's UK
  • Data shows neurology appointments stayed steady during first COVID-19 lockdown
  • Coronavirus vaccine and Parkinson's
  • Impact of coronavirus on people affected by Parkinson's – Survey report
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) information and resources for professionals
  • Understanding coronavirus and Parkinson's
• Van Andel Institute – COVID-19 infection may be part of a ‘perfect storm’ for Parkinson’s disease
• World Parkinson Coalition
  • COVID-19, Anxiety, and Parkinson's: Staying Healthy in These Unusual Times
  • Parkinson’s Awareness Month Features Virtual Sing-A-Long
• World Parkinson's Program – COVID-19 AND PARKINSON’S

Exercise

• Dance for PD – Dance at home free activities and online classes
• Parkinson's Europe ExerciseCast – online video exercise programme by Josefa Domingos and John M. Dean
• Parkinson's UK – Stay Active At Home

Research

• Phanhdone T, Drummond P, Meisel T, Friede N, Di Rocco A, Chodosh J, Fleisher J, Barriers to Vaccination Among People with Parkinson’s Disease and Implications for COVID-19 – read article
• HØrmann Thomsen T, Wallerstedt S, Winge K, Bergquist F, Life with Parkinson’s Disease During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Pressure Is “OFF” – read article
• Feeney M P, Xu Y, Surface M, Shah H, Vanegas-Arroyave N, Chan A K, Delaney E, Przedborski S, Beck J C, Alcalay R N, The impact of COVID-19 and social distancing on people with Parkinson’s disease: a survey study – read article
• Parkinson's Foundation, Coping with COVID-19: Survey Results from People with Parkinson’s During the Pandemic – read article
• Bloem B, Trenkwalder C, Sanchez-Ferro A, Kalia L, Alcalay R, Chiang H, Kang U J, Goetz C, Brundin P, Papa S M, COVID-19 Vaccination for Persons with Parkinson’s Disease: Light at the End of the Tunnel? – read article
• Zhang Q, Schultz J M, Aldridge G M, Simmering J E, Narayanan N S, COVID‐19 case fatality and Parkinson’s disease – read article
• Cohen M E, Eichel R, Steiner-Birmanns B, Janah A, Ioshpa M, Bar-Shalom R, Paul JJ, Gaber H, Skrahina V, Bornstein N M, Yahalom G, A case of probable Parkinson's disease after SARS-CoV-2 infection – read article
• Santos García D, Oreiro M, Pérez P, Fanjul G, Paz González J M, Feal Painceiras M, Cores Bartolomé C, Valdés Aymerich L, García Sancho C, Castellanos Rodrigo M, Impact of COVID‐19 Pandemic on Parkinson´s Disease: A Cross‐sectional Survey of 568 Spanish Patients – read article
• Lancaster University – A third of people with Parkinson’s have seen their health deteriorate in lockdown
• Cilia R, Bonvegna S, Straccia G, Golfrè Andreasi N, Elia A E, Romito L M, Devigili G, Cereda E, Eleopra R, Effects of COVID‐19 on Parkinson's disease clinical features: a community‐based case‐control study – read article
• Thomas S, Mancini F, Ebenezer L, Price J, Carta T, Cordasco J, Tedesco C, Gillett S, Parkinson's disease and the COVID-19 pandemic: responding to patient need with nurse-led telemedicine – read article
• Antonini A, Leta V, Teo J, Chaudhuri K R, Outcome of Parkinson's Disease patients affected by COVID‐19 – read article
• Helmich R C, Bloem B, The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Parkinson’s Disease: Hidden Sorrows and Emerging Opportunities – read article

Factsheets and advice

• Brain&Life – Information on COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Neurologic Disorders
• European Federation of Neurological Associations (EFNA) – COVID-19 Resource Hub
• European Patients' Forum (EPF):
  • 5 Ways to Protect Your Mental Health during COVID-19
  • COVID19 Resource Point
• Grayling – COVID-19 daily briefing
• STAT – Q&A: How to care for the elderly without putting them at risk of coronavirus
• touchNEUROLOGY:
  • COVID-19 and Mental Health – What Can Be Done?
  • COVID-19 resources hub