Protect Yourself and Others – You Can Survive COVID-19
Public health specialists worldwide struggle and don’t stop searching for a way to track and understand CoronaVirus, the new type of deadly virus.
Understand COVID-19
The virus appeared initially in Wuhan, China, back in December 2019. The WHO (the World Health Organization) dubbed the illness caused by the virus COVID-19. It represents the category of virus and the year it appeared. COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the WHO. So far, the cases of illness have reached a massive number of 185,000 confirmed cases and 7,330 deaths. Approximately 80,000 people, luckily, recovered from the diseases. Most majority of the cases were first reported in China, but the rate of other new cases in the region has decreased. More troubled are now the regions outside of China. The repercussions There are massive breakdowns of the illness in many areas, such as Italy, Spain, and Iran. The confirmed cases of COVID-19 reached an amount of 4,600 people and 85 deaths from the virus in the US territory. As this situation continues to spread and trouble more and more countries, people become more confused and scared. We need accurate information and help. Most of all, we need to understand COVID-19. Start below to find out the exact information for protecting yourself and others against COVID-19. Remember that you can fight this and you are understood. Many like you experience such a terrible time, and this should not be the end of your fight. After all, we didn’t reach so far, only to reach this far. Our generation is prepared for this. Where did COVID-19 resurface? Back in December 2019, the WHO was informed by the public health officials from China that they face an issue. An unknown, new type of virus was causing something similar to pneumonia in the city of Wuhan. Experts declared quickly that the new kind of infection was a coronavirus, and it was alarmingly spreading thorough and outside the borders of Wuhan. Since the beginning of the 20th century, two coronaviruses have been determined—the SARS breakdown in 2002, and the MERS in 2012. Researchers are still trying to look after a way to track down the outbreak back to its origin. How dangerous is COVID-19? COVID-19 is a dangerous disease, and it’s more severe than the flu. A CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) forecasts that somewhere between 160 to 214 million people will be infected in the US alone. Also, between 200,000 and 1,7 million could lose their lives. Such a prediction doesn’t take into account the actions of slowing down the breakdown. The status of the symptoms of COVID-19 The symptoms of COVID-19 have fluctuated from mild, similar in a cold, to severe. Approximately 80 % of declared cases are mild. Unfortunately, there are still lacking lots of cases, as some countries chose not to report them. Probably, there are many more mild cases of the disease that haven’t been declared. In almost 15 % of people, the condition is serious enough that they require immediate hospitalization. Also, nearly 5 % of cases are reported as critical. These numbers, however, might modify as the breakdown continues. What groups of people are affected by COVID-19? Various groups of people are affected by COVID-19. But, there are more at risk of developing a serious case of the disease or of losing the life from it. Most deaths in this coronavirus breakdown have occurred in older people and those who also suffered from other health issues, such as hypertension, heart disease, or diabetes. Approximately 14 % of people over 80 who get infected will lose their lives. It’s still unknown when people with COVID-19 become contagious. Also, how long such a period could last. There is one research, for example, which shows how nine people in Germany with mild cases of coronavirus discovered that they got high levels of the COVID-19 in their throats at the beginning of the course of the illness. They didn’t even feel sick, and the virus was there before. Other studies showcase that some people from China had high levels of the coronavirus, but they didn’t feel almost ill at all. However, preliminary research indicates that asymptomatic transmission often occurs, which will make containing the spread of the coronavirus more advanced. COVID-19, where to? The COVID-19 is now fasting in lots of countries worldwide. Currently, the epicenter of the pandemic has reached Europe, according to the WHO. The cases appear more and more daily and surpassed the ones from China. In the US, for example, regions where the COVID-19 hit, comprising New York, Boston, and a nursing home in the Washington state. COVID-19 is spreading rapidly globally, especially in contained areas such as the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Early reports and proofs indicated that similar to other coronaviruses, COVID-19 goes between people who are very close physically. How does COVID-19 spread? This new type of coronavirus is also spreading when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Sneezes and coughs make tiny bits of mucus and saliva. If these bits reach another person’s mouth, eyes, or nose, they can get infected. Moreover, the viruses in those tiny bits of mucus and saliva can also end up on various surfaces such as doorknobs, walls, devices, or tables. If someone touches that surface and then touches their mouth, eyes, or nose, they can also get infected. Research explains how the virus can reach on surfaces such as stainless steel or plastic for a couple of days. Coronavirus doesn’t seem to stay infectious on cardboard, not more than a day. It doesn’t also spread through the air. Some hospital methods can artificially produce airborne viruses, but such a thing doesn’t occur regularly. How do we treat COVID-19? Unfortunately, there aren’t any demonstrated medical treatments for COVID-19. There are, however, lots of researches underway to discover some. Remdesivir, on the other hand, could be one leading candidate. The antiviral medication was initially produced to treat Ebola. There are also clinical trials examing it in patients in the US and China. Pharmaceutical companies teamed up with research groups to produce a vaccine that can protect people from COVID-19. However, the vaccine process takes already a long time. Even if all disappear, it will still be needed one year or so before one vaccine is available, according to Anthony Fauci from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases center. What can you do to protect yourself from COVID-19? Based on what information we gathered so far about protecting ourselves from COVID-19, there are few methods you must start with right away. First, you should understand that the measures you should be taking are similar to those against the flu. So, don’t overwhelm yourself in lots of procedures or other methods of protection, because you’ll waste time. COVID-19 recommendations: wash your handsuse hand sanitizercover your mouth when you coughstay away from people who are sickwork remotely if you’re feeling illavoid crowded placespostpone any unnecessary task or travelthink twice before purchasing somethingvisit the doctor only if your symptoms become severewear a mask and gloves If you’re young and healthy, you might not feel a thing if you catch COVID-19. But if you don’t choose to stay home, you could spread the virus to someone who might get extremely ill. Social distancing is the best way to slow the spread. That gives the coronavirus less chance to move from one person to another. CDC recommends that older adults or anyone who might get infected should not travel at all. The US State Department, for example, increased the travel advisory to the level 4 for China. So, Americans shouldn’t go to any Chinese territory because of the COVID-19. Level 4 is considered the most extreme warning issue. Also, the CDC announced a level 1 travel advisory for Hong Kong. For Japan, a level 2 travel advisory was declared, and level 3 for Italy, Iran, and South Korea. COVID-19 situation in US Alex Azar, the US Secretary of Health and Human Services, announced a public health emergency in response to the COVID-19 at the end of January. President Trump has also announced a national crisis recently. COVID-19 is spreading through the territory, and many states have declared emergency declarations. New York City, Washington, Boston, and New Rochelle are regions where the coronavirus spread. In the US, unfortunately, is a limited number of tests available. Experts explained such a thing might cause delayed responses and might turn the breakdown in an even more challenging task to contain. Ramping up testing is essential because other regions from Europe, for example, search more aggressively for cases, and ultimately discovered them. COVID-19 numbers at a glance: total cases: 4,226deaths: 75jurisdictions reporting cases: 53 (49 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, District of Columbia, and the US Virgin Islands) Various areas of the country see lots of levels of COVID-19 activity. The US nationally is now in the initiation phase, but regions were community spread is happening are in the speeding up point. The severity and duration of each stage can differ a lot depending on the characteristics of the COVID-19 and the public health answer, as well. CDC, local public health labs, and states are currently testing for the type of virus that causes COVID-19. The US COVID-19 cases comprise cases among close contacts of a known case, imported cases in travelers, and community-acquired cases where the origin of the infection hasn’t been identified yet. COVID-19 on the Canadian territory Recently, seven people lost their lives because of the COVID-19 complications in British Columbia. Canada now has 586 confirmed cases. Ontario and Alberta announced states of emergency, and currently, a total of five provinces have issued public health emergencies. Pharmacies, public transit, and grocery stores would remain open and functioning as usual, according to Ontario’s premier, Doug Ford. Restaurants will be allowed to continue operating only if they offer delivery options. All public schools in Ontario have been closed. The state of emergency is forecasted to last until March 31. Canada intends to open an extra 25 testing facilities, reaching a total of 42. According to premier minister Justin Trudeau, the government possesses sufficient powers to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Trudeau also intends to declare several relief procedures to offset the increasing economic troubles from the coronavirus breakdown. Such a thing could be worth approximately C$27bn according to a government source. COVID-19 on the UK territory A recent update shows 2,626 people were confirmed positive of COVID-19, and 71 deaths. The UK has been increased to a high-risk level. The strengthened legal powers to protect the public health have been announced on February 10 by Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care. The government’s strategy, however, has been modifying and adjusting over recent weeks. It began trying to contain the breakdowns by isolating people who were tested positive, and those who had close contact with them were told to self-isolate. Schools in Wales and Scotland were closed last week. Research by UK epidemiologists forecasts that trials to decrease or lessen – rather than actively cease – the new coronavirus should be initiated. The British government, however, seems to act oddly. It repeatedly stated that it doesn’t support the large-scale banning gatherings, like France, Italy, or Germany have done. The Prime Minister, though, seemed on Friday to plan emergency legislation to ban large and significant events. Government ministers stated that their decisions are being led purely by science. Soon, we should find out what the UK has been decided. COVID-19 on the Australian territory Recently, the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison issued a “human biosecurity emergency” and stated that the Australian citizens shouldn’t travel anymore. Such a statement offered the government the power to close off regions, order people to quarantine, and impose curfews. Australia has announced over 500 COVID-19 infections and 6 deaths. New South Wales is currently the most populated state, and the cases reported here are announced more frequently. Morrison had also tighter the ban on indoor social group gatherings, down to 100 people. Schools, shopping centers, and public transport haven’t been closed. Australia is by far a fortunate case of not reporting many cases. COVID-19 on the New Zealand territory The Ministry of Health has announced 20 cases of COVID-19 infections so far. The cases are all related to international travel. Border restrictions have been applied recently to keep the risk of community breakdown in New Zealand low. Those who enter the country from outside the Pacific Islands must self-isolate immediately. Temporary closures are currently discussed. Schools haven’t been closed, but social gatherings of more than 500 people have been banned. New Zealand is facing the virus breakdown very positive so far. Read the full article