Let's start with some of the basics.
Coronavirus and Covid-19 are both the same in French as in English, so there's no problem in establishing what you are talking about.
READ ALSO Coronavirus in France – how worried should you be?
Un virus – virus
L'épidémie – epidemic
Urgences – the hospital emergency department
SAMU – the French ambulance service, or le service d'aide médicale urgente to give them their full name. The number to call for an ambulance in France is 15 and if you think you have symptoms you are asked to call this number and not go to hospital or your local doctor's surgery.
Les symptômes – the symptoms
Un vaccin – a vaccine
Les personnes fragiles – people particularly vulnerable to the illness. These include les personnes âgées (elderly people) and les personnes souffrantes de maladies chroniques (people with pre-existing conditions).
MAP These are the areas of France worst affected by coronavirus
If you're following the news of the outbreak you may need some of these words or phrases
Le bilan – the total or level eg Le bilan en France a passé 190 – the total in France has passed 190
Cas confirmé – confirmed case
Cas suspect/cas investigué – suspected case
Guérison – recovery
Décès – deaths
Une zone risque – an area seriously affected by coronavirus such as China or Italy
Isolement – isolation. Anyone who has recently returned from une zone risque should self isolate for 14 days.
READ ALSO What are the rules on coronavirus quarantine and self isolation in France?
To correctly follow French health advice you might need to know the following phrases
Se laver les mains très régulièrement – Wash your hands very regularly
Tousser ou éternuer dans son coude – Cough or sneeze into your elbow
Saluer sans se serrer la main, éviter les embrassades – Greet people without shaking hands, avoid hugs
Utiliser des mouchoirs à usage unique – Use disposable tissues
Un masque chiurgical – a surgical mask. Only people who are self isolating are advised to wear these, other people do not need to and they will not protect against the virus.
And if you think you may have coronavirus you may need these words to describe your symptoms
Fièvre – fever
Maux de tête – headache
Courbatures – aches
Toux – cough
Difficultés respiratoires – breathing difficulties
Good for them … oh go on … what conversation?
Especially “Saluer sans se serrer la main, éviter les embrassades”… the local pharmacist refused a handshake this morning, which started an interesting conversation.
Very very useful – thank you