Covid 19 is a respiratory disease caused by novel (new) corona virus and is declared as a pandemic by WHO on March 11, 2020. A Pandemic is an outbreak of a disease all over the world. It started in an animal meat market in Wuhan, China in December 2019 when first case was reported to become a carrier of virus from animal to human. Since then this novel virus has mutated itself and started transmitting from human to human. Earlier it was thought to be transmitted through droplets sneezed or coughed up by infected person but now its confirmed that the virus is airborne as well. It can spread via air, surfaces and the latest findings confirmed that they can spread even from breathing near a covid infected person.
Symptoms of Corona virushttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/summary.html
The symptoms of covid 19 are like flu, sneezing, cough, mild to severe fever, breathing difficulty. The symptoms may range from mild to severe with older population at higher risk of getting critical signs. Out of a report in China, over 80% of patients died were above 65 years or with a history of previous illness like diabetes, Heart disease or lung and renal disease or immune compromised conditions.
So in case you have any of these symptoms, isolate yourself at home, and immediately inform right authorities in your town to reach you. Please don’t visit any clinic or hospital on your own as most of the countries are providing screening and testing facilities. While you travel, you are posing risk to many others on the way.
How it spreads?
This is spreading from person to person. When an infected person coughs, sneezes or touches his mouth, nose and eyes and then touches any surface or cloth or paper, it can remain on those areas for long hours and anybody touching them may carry the infection as well. Today it is confirmed by WHO, that it can spread even by breathing near an infected person as the virus is airborne. So it is very important that anyone who is outside wears a mask.
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
Where has it spread all over the world?
It started in Wuhan, china from where it has traveled different countries all over the world mainly by people coming from affected areas acting as transmitters. It has affected Italy, Iran, Korea, United States and many parts of Europe. It has now started affecting India and other Asian countries also. Till date over 300000 people have been affected and over 13000 deaths are reported. It is declared as an emergency in many states. the situation is very critical in Italy where more than 600 deaths have been reported daily since 3 days, taking the total death tally to over 4000. United states have reported more than 34,354 cases across all 50 states. In India cases tested positive have crossed 450.
What can we do to stop its spread?
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for 30-60 seconds.
- Wear a mask while outside or in crowded place or in close contact with other people and discard mask after 6-8 hours properly in a dustbin or burn it.
- Cover your mouth and nose while sneezing.
- Stay at home to prevent community spread.
- Regularly sanitize your door handles and other commonly touched surfaces.
- Avoid social gatherings and meetings.
- If one member has to go out to buy essential commodities, he/she should practice social distancing and should wear gloves and mask and sanitize properly after reaching home.
- Avoid shaking hands, say Namaste.
