COVID-19: Coronavirus Facts, What You Need to Know! | Since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus as a pandemic, many myths, fears, and questions have arisen. Today we are going to talk about ten facts about the coronavirus that you need to know and why.
We have taken our time to cover all the important aspects including likely asked questions about the coronavirus since many people are spreading false information about the virus on the various social media platforms.
Below are the Top 10 Coronavirus Facts You Need to Know. These questions answer all and give you the actual information about coronavirus (COVID-19).
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Before we begin, I would like to tell you what “Coronaviruses” are. Coronaviruses are a type of virus. There are many different kinds, and some cause disease. A newly identified type has caused a recent outbreak of respiratory illness now called COVID-19.
1. What is a “Novel” Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
A novel coronavirus (CoV) is a new strain of coronavirus that has not been previously identified in humans. The new, or “novel” coronavirus, now called COVID-19, had not previously been detected before the outbreak was reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019.
2. How Long Does It Take to Start Seeing Symptoms?
The incubation period is the time between infection and the onset of clinical symptoms of the disease. Current estimates of the incubation period range from 2 – 11 days and these estimates will be refined as more data become available. Based on information from other coronavirus diseases, such as MERS and SARS, the incubation period of CONVID 19 could be up to 14 days.
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3. What Are The Symptoms of COVID-19?
- cough
- fever
- tiredness
- difficulty breathing (severe cases)
COVID-19 can lead to severe respiratory problems, kidney failure or death, in rare cases.
4. How is Coronavirus Spread?
The new coronavirus is a respiratory virus that spreads primarily through contact with an infected person through respiratory droplets generated when a person, for example, coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose. It is important that everyone practice good respiratory hygiene.
For example, sneeze or cough into a flexed elbow, or use a tissue and discard it immediately into a closed bin. It is also very important for people to wash their hands regularly with either alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
5. How Did The Novel Coronavirus Spread to Humans?
This type of coronavirus – COVID-19 first appeared in Wuhan, a city in China, in December 2019. Although the exact source of this new coronavirus is unknown, health scientists are still tracing the root source of the virus. Early hypotheses thought it may be linked to a seafood market in Wuhan, China. Some people who visited the market developed viral pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus. A study that came out on Jan. 25, 2020, notes that the individual with the first reported case became ill on Dec. 1, 2019, and had no connection to the seafood market. Investigations are still ongoing as to how this virus originated and spread.
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6. Can Human Be Affected By The Novel Coronavirus by Infected Animals
Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans in China in 2002 and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans. As surveillance improves around the world, more coronaviruses are likely to be identified.
The animal source of the CONVID 19 has not yet been identified. This does not mean you can catch 2019-nCoV from any animal or from your pet. It’s likely that an animal source from a live animal market in China was responsible for some of the first reported human infections. To protect yourself, when visiting live animal markets, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals.
The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.
7. How Different is COVID-19 from SARS?
No! SARS stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. In 2003, an outbreak of SARS started in China and spread to other countries before ending in 2004. The virus that causes COVID-19 is similar to the one that caused the 2003 SARS outbreak: both are types of coronaviruses.
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8. Can COVID-19 Kill?
As of the time of writing this article, 29th March, the total number of global coronavirus cases was 66,370 with 30,879 death cases recorded 142,183 recorded cases. This information comes from the Worldometer Coronavirus Live Updates. The novel coronavirus’ case fatality rate has been estimated at around 2%, in the WHO press conference held on January 29, 2020.
9. How Contagious is Coronavirus COVID-19?
According to the statistic information provided by the Worldometers.info website, the attacks rate or transmissibility (how rapidly the disease spreads) of a virus is indicated by its reproductive number (Ro, pronounced R-nought or r-zero), which represents the average number of people to which a single infected person will transmit the virus.
WHO’s estimated (on Jan. 23) Ro to be between 1.4 and 2.5.
Other studies have estimated a Ro between 3.6 and 4.0, and between 2.24 to 3.58.
Preliminary studies had estimated Ro to be between 1.5 and 3.5.
An outbreak with a reproductive number of below 1 will gradually disappear.
For comparison, the Ro for the common flu is 1.3 and for SARS it was 2.0.
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10. How Do You Protect Yourself from COVID-19?
Following these guidelines below to help protect yourself from the novel coronavirus and reduce its spread.
- Avoid close contacts with others
- Stay at home and lessen your number of visitors
- Practice social distancing
- Avoid people who appear sick
- Stay at least 6 feet away from people when in public
- Practice daily, good personal hygiene
- Wash your hands under running water for at least 20 seconds after being to the public, using the bath/toilet, after cooking and after exercising for a while. If there is no soap and water, use a 60 – 90% alcohol sanitizer to disinfected
- If you cough or sneeze do so with your elbow. If you used a tissue, throw it away immediately. Avoid the usage of handkerchiefs and face towels.
- Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose, especially when your hands are unwashed.
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