Facts about COVID-19

Jauhar Rafeeq
Coronaviruses (COVID-19) are a group of viruses belonging to the family of Coronaviridae, which infect both animals and humans. The disease causes respiratory illness (like flue) with symptoms such as cough, fever and in more severe cases, difficulty in breathing. Formerly, this disease was referred to as ‘2019 novel coronavirus’ or ‘2019-nCoV.’ The COVID-19 virus is a new virus linked to the same family of viruses as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and some types of common cold. ?
What are the symptoms of COVID-19??
A COVID-19 positive person shows many symptoms. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. As per World Health Organisation report, in more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome and sometimes death. People who have been diagnosed with novel coronavirus have reported symptoms that may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus.
How does novel coronavirus spread?
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. Most commonly, COVID-19 spreads from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people than catch COVID-19 by touching these objects. As per WHO report, people can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. That is why maintaining social distance is need of hour. Presently, WHO is assessing ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 Spreads?
How severe is novel coronavirus?
COVID-19 affects people, older persons and persons with pre-existing medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, Cancer, diabetes etc appear to develop serious illness more often the others. Reported cases have ranged from mild illness (like a common cold) to severe pneumonia that requires hospitalization. So far, deaths have been reported mainly in older adults and children. Can the virus that causes COVID-19 be transmitted through the air? Studies to date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air.
Is there a vaccine, drug or treatment for COVID-19?
As per WHO report, there is no vaccine and no specific antiviral medicine to prevent or treat COVID-19. However, those affected should receive care to relieve symptoms. People with serious illness should be hospitalized. WHO is coordinating efforts to develop vaccines and medicines to prevent and treat COVID-19. The most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to frequently clean your hands, cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue, and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from people who are coughing or sneezing.
How can the spread of COVID-19 be slowed down or prevented?
Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the national, state and local public health authority. Many countries around the world have seen cases of COVID-19 and several have seen outbreaks. Authorities in China and some other countries have succeeded in slowing or stopping their outbreaks.
You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID19 by taking some simple precautions:
• Wash hands often with soap and water. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
• Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
Protection measures for persons who are in or have recently visited (past 14 days) areas where COVID-19 is spreading?
• Follow the guidance outlined above (Protection measures for everyone) and cooperate with local authorities
• Self-isolate by staying at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache, low grade fever (37.3 C or above) and slight runny nose, until you recover.
• If you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice promptly as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. Call in advance and tell your provider of any recent travel or contact with travelers.
Present Situation report worldwide
Till 2 March 2020, total number of confirmed COVID-19 positive cases was 823626 and numbers of deaths globally were 40598. In Western Pacific Region 106422 confirmed cases and 3701 deaths, European Region 464 212 confirmed cases and 30 089 deaths, South-East Asia Region 5175 confirmed and 195 deaths, Eastern Mediterranean Region 54281 confirmed cases and 3115 deaths, Region of the Americas 188751 confirmed cases and 3400 deaths and in African Region 4073 confirmed cases and 91 deaths.
(Author is presently a Ph.D scholar at Faculty of Forest SKUAST-K Srinagar. Views are his own, [email protected])