The World New Pandemic: Novel Coronavirus

As the outbreak grow globally, it is good to gain more info on how to overcome the novel Coronavirus.

   These days, media is bombarding the audience with the news of Corona Virus, also known as Covid-19, spreading globally and infecting people pretty quickly. This virus has caused a massive outbreak, leaving governments in utter helplessness as the infected cases number grows largely in arithmetic progression day by day. Social media users release footages of people sacking local shop shelves following the announcement of quarantine in their cities and towns. Fear of virus and the disease it causes, has insinuated into our lives for the past couple of months. But what is this ruckus all about? Here we explain a few things for you in the most straightforward way.

 

COVID-19, or SARS?

Coronaviruses are a family of zoonotic viruses, which means they can be transmitted between animals and humans. Coronaviruses have many strains and cause many diseases ranging from a mild cold to SARS (Severe acute respiratory syndrome) or MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome). SARS-coronavirus is the virus responsible for SARS, and it was identified in 2003. But the virus responsible for the current outbreak is SARS-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 is), which is the cause of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore Covid-19 is the name of the respiratory disease, which is declared by WHO on Feb 11th.

 

Virus Origins

This novel strain of coronavirus mostly resembles in bats. Very recent studies have proven that the novel virus is a result of natural mutation, ruling out any claim of genetic engineering and laboratory manipulation as a potential origin for it. There are theories about how this virus came in contact with humans, which among them consuming pangolin meat is the prime suspect to initiate the outbreak. Chinese researchers are still tracking the clues to find the very "first patient" in Wuhan, China.


Corona-virus-


 

Spread and Mortality Rates

In addition to discoveries about the vast spread of the virus, it is estimated that an infected individual will infect an average of 2 or 3 people.

There are also questions about the mortality rate of Covid-19, as the number of global infected cases has passed over 230,000 on the time of typing this blog. WHO estimated the %3.4 mortality rate globally as of Mar 3rd. Still, there are no further updates yet.

 

Symptoms:

In most cases, Covid-19 shows flu-like symptoms that end up in mild to severe respiratory illnesses. Symptoms usually include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. But cases have also complained of runny nose, sore throat, and difficulty breathing. The virus is transmitted by respiratory droplets of an infected individual's cough, sneeze, exhale, and also saliva and discharge from the nose. 

Once a person is infected, it takes 2-14 days of the incubation period before the symptoms appear. The average estimation is it takes between 5 to 6 days before the first signs to show up. This is the reason why this virus has triggered massive stealth-spread since it is not diagnosable without a test in this long period, considering that %10 of the infected have no symptoms at all and are the cause of silent transmissions. 

 

Treatment and Vaccination:

Efforts to develop a vaccine for Covid-19 is underway, although it might take months before it is ready for public use. There is no particular medicine currently available to treat the disease, either.

Right now, the only effective way to reduce the peak of the infection and control the spread is to limit the human-to-human contact. That 's why in many countries with higher rates of infected cases, quarantine, strict traffic protocols, and restrictions are in progress.

 

How to avoid Covid-19

First and foremost, wash your hands as much as you can and avoid touching your face. Keep at least 1.5m distant between you and others. This virus can be transmitted through the mouth, nose, and eyes mostly. Keeping the safe distance, along with avoiding touching your face, are effective ways of staying away from the infection. You can also use hand sanitizers once in every while.

According to discoveries, the virus is detectable in the air up to 3 hours, on cardboards up to 24 hours, on the copper surface up to 4 hours, and on surfaces like stainless still and plastic up to 72 hours. Keep in mind to clean door handles, mobile phones, and light keys with disinfectants.

Disinfectants containing %70 ethanol, %0.1 sodium hypochlorite, or %0.5 hydrogen peroxide would efficiently inactivate coronaviruses within one minute on the contaminated surfaces. But beware to never mix household bleaches from different brands together or with ammonia or other cleansers.

Masks are not a guarantee of not getting infected. However, they are effective at capturing respiratory droplets, which are the main route of transmission. If you are in contact with an infected person, wearing a mask helps a lot and cut the chances of getting infected. If you are sick, wearing surgical masks can help to protect others. Make sure to change them regularly without touching the front part of it. Always use hand rubs or wash hands before wearing and after removing the mask.

Wearing disposable gloves is also recommended when caring for someone with Covid-19 or working with public machines such as ATMs.

 

 

 

Differences between epidemic and Pandemic and outbreak

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an Outbreak is a sudden increase in cases of a disease in a small area. An Epidemic is an outbreak spreading in a larger geographical area. A Pandemic, on the other hand, is spreading of an epidemic in different regions and countries or generally worldwide, which is out of control.

In this case, signs of this virus and the disease it causes (Covid-19) were first seen in Wuhan, China, which was considered an outbreak back then (Dec 2019, Jan 2020). When the disease began spreading to other areas of China, that meant the containment efforts were not sufficient, so it grew into an Epidemic (Jan-Feb 2020). Once infected people traveled across different countries and came in contact with family and locals, the outbreak happened in the cities other than China. Therefore, it meant the efforts to control the spread worldwide has failed, emerging the disease into a state of Pandemic. So, on Mar 11th, WHO officially declared Covid-19 as a pandemic.


Corona-virus-anatomy


 

However, declaring a pandemic by WHO doesn't mean to provoke fear or make you stockpile hand sanitizers and masks. It doesn't even say the virus has evolved more lethal or dangerous than it was. These terms are codes to tell countries' administrations, governments, and organizations to put every possible effort to mitigate the disease instead of containing it. It is to address that public awareness should rise efficiently, and countries must take serious actions and issue restrictions to reintegrate public safety.

 

Many actions and restrictions are in progress in many different countries to overcome the Pandemic. In Italy, the whole country is experiencing a lockdown and quarantine to control the spread after the sudden increase in infection rates. Multiple countries have closed borders across the globe. In Iran, the process of testing and diagnosing has progressed, so diagnosis kits are available more than before. Stores and restaurants are closed in many countries. Countries like the US and Germany have granted more power and investments to medical institutions to invent vaccination or possible medication for Covid-19. 

 

 

What if I feel sick...?

If you think you have Covid-19, make sure to seek medical attention or follow the guidelines the authorities in your city have issued. In some countries, people who have symptoms are encouraged to stay home and call emergency hotlines dedicated to this matter.

If you have Covid-19, treatment options right now are about maintaining body fluid balance, resting, and having a proper diet. To use any other specific medication, you should always seek your physician's advice. Wear a surgical mask to protect others. Don't share your stuff with anyone, including dishes and glasses. Separate your room and have minimum contact with family members, and remember to keep the safe distance.

Don't forget that only about %6 of the infections with this virus emerge into critical state, so luckily with proper care, you'll soon recover.