So, the novel (new) Coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China has taken a fast turn all around the world and has people asking plenty of questions without answers. Why? Because this is a new strain of the virus that has not yet been identified in humans (this is why it is called novel). What do we mean you’re probably wondering? Let us break it down for you so that we are all on the same page.
The CORONAVIRUS (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause multiple illnesses like your normal common cold but can expand to more severe life-threatening diseases, such as the MERS CoV (Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome) and SARS CoV (Severe acute respiratory Syndrome).
As of today, the novel Coronavirus COVID-19 has affected 29 countries and territories around the world. The toll of people infected with the Coronavirus has reached a total of 71,442 people infected all around the world, and a total of 1,776 deaths. But what you may not know is that there has been a total of 11,284 recoveries as well. There is always a little hope even when it seems inevitable
Follow this link to stay updated with the cases (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/).
So what we do know for sure (because there have been a lot of rumors on how, when, where, and why) is that the Coronavirus is zoonotic meaning that the virus is transmitted between animals and humans, hence animals being the contributing factor to the outbreak such as civet cats with SARS and camels with MERS.
How do you know if you, a loved one, a colleague or someone around you, in general, maybe affected? The common signs and symptoms at the moment that should raise a red flag are respiratory symptoms such as a cough, high fever, having shortness of breath, difficulty breathing. There are also severe cases that are affected by symptoms such as pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.
There are no vaccines or antiviral drugs to treat the virus yet but if caught early enough there are some symptoms that can be treated. The WHO (World Health Organization) has some standard recommendations to help prevent the infection from spreading. Regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing and try to wear a mask with high filtration as much as possible if you know you are in a place that has a high infection rate.
We recommend that you get checked up if you feel that any of the symptoms have occurred with you.
#StaySafe Epic Beaters!