What is the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Early Signs of Infection

What is the coronavirus and what are some early signs of infection?

The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is a viral infection that is highly contagious and attacks the respiratory organs. Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause disease in animals. These viruses then get transmitted to humans.

Because there’s no known vaccine for this particular strain of the coronavirus (COVID-19), it is one of the reasons there’s a heighten pandemic surrounding the virus and why it continues to spread internationally. A contributing factor is that the virus is far more dangerous among individuals with a weakened immune systems; like the elderly and those with underlying health conditions (eg. asthma and diabetes). The mortality rate increases significantly among these individuals infected with the virus.

How is the virus spread?

The virus is spread through saliva and discharge from the nose when infected parties sneeze or cough. For this reason, it is important to practice good hygiene by washing your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer and refrain from touching your face and that of loved ones.

Infections to date…

According to the World Health Organization, most people infected with COVID-19 will likely recover but the virus has also taken the lives of thousands. Symptoms may include a runny nose, sore throat, cough, fever and difficulty breathing.

At the moment, Worldometer (a global corona virus tracker), notes that 336,075 people have been infected across 192 countries and territories globally, 14,613 have died and 97,636 have recovered as of March 23, 2020 (00:04 GMT).

The United States trends behind China and Italy with the most confirmed cases with 33,346.

Where did the COVID-19 outbreak start? Timeline and what you need to know…

• The outbreak started in Wuhan, China with the contaminated seafood and poultry late last year, killing more than 7, 800 people of the 81,054 infected (source)
• By Jan 2020 China began to report deaths associated with the virus and cases in other parts of the world emerged, including the United States.
• By late January, authorities imposed a mandatory lockdown of the city with more than 11 million people. Travel to and from the city was banned with growing cases of confirmed infections and deaths.
• On January 30, the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency
• The United States also restricted travel to China around this time
• In early Feb the first corona death outside of China was confirmed in the Philippine when a man, 44, succumbed to his infection
• At this time, China cases roses in the thousand and approximately 360 people died
• By mid-February France announced it first death associated with the virus
• Feb 19 – Iran announces two confirmed cases of the coronavirus. Two days later, deaths were confirmed
• Feb 23- Italy sees a surge of coronavirus infections and officials began locking down local towns
• Feb 26 – Latin American reports it’s first case of COVID-19
• Feb 28 – death tolls rise amid infected people in Italy and Sub-Sahara Africa reports it’s first infection
• Feb 28 – The US reports it’s first death associated with the virus and by March 3 approve widespread testing for the virus
• March 11 – President Trump bans European travelers to enter the United States and declares a national emergency
• March 15 – The CDC recommends no gatherings of 50 or more people in the US and businesses begin recommending employees to work from home
• March 17 – France imposes a nationwide lockdown and European officials being to restrict travelers to enter more than 25 countries
• March 19 – For the first time in months, China reports no new infections

Unfortunately, cases are still on the rise in other parts of the world, especially within the US and Italy. The countries, among others have imposed mandatory lockdowns.

Looking ahead…

In the next few weeks, as more cases of infections are reported, the US, and the world really, is at the liberty of this viral infection and we’ve yet to see how this will play put.

For now, it is important to follow the rules advised by the CDC, to stay in doors, avoid gatherings, wash your hands frequently and practice good hygiene. It is also important to note that officials and medical practitioners are still studying and learning more about this virus every day. One revelation is that an infected partied can be asymptomatic but still pass on the virus; which puts others with compromised immune systems at greater risk when they come in contact with an asymptomatic individual.

Again, stay home, remain isolated (especially if you believe you’ve come in contact with an infected party), buckle down and be patient as we learn more about his virus and how we can better protect ourselves until a vaccine is created.

If you do exhibit signs of an infection, the CDC has advised to self-quarantine for at least 14 days. Should you develop a fever, trouble breathing and symptoms progress, head to the emergency room.

To learn more about COVID-19 and the latest developments and breaking news visit the World Health Organization.

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