Corona Virus/ COVID-19

Although the two terms are interchangeable, Coronavirus or COVID-19 are slightly different. Coronavirus (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). COVID-19, on the other hand, is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

COVID-19 is a part of coronavirus that has affected the major parts of the world in a short time. China has seen the largest case of COVID-19 spread since the turn of 2020.

Let’s take a look at COVID-19 and how you can deal with it effectively.

What is Coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. They are zoonotic in nature; hence they can easily transmit between animals and people. Almost every case of coronavirus infection took place after a human came in a close encounter with a wild animal. The encounter included living in an enclosed environment or consuming the meat of the animal.

Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, and cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.

COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 or popularly known as COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2).

A research team said COVID-19 may originate in bats. The genome sequencing of the novel coronavirus is as high as 96 percent identical with a type of coronavirus from bats, the team said, adding that the new coronavirus enters the receptor using the same cells with SARS virus.

Infection

• The infection is spread from one person to others via respiratory droplets produced from the airways, often during coughing or sneezing.
• Time from exposure to onset of symptoms is generally between 2 and 14 days, with an average of 5 days.
• The standard method of diagnosis is by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) from a nasopharyngeal swab or sputum sample, with results within a few hours to 2 days. Antibody assays can also be used, using a blood serum sample, with results within a few days.
• The infection can also be diagnosed from a combination of symptoms, risk factors, and a chest CT scan showing features of pneumonia.

How is the COVID-19 different from other coronaviruses?

“This virus is not SARS, it’s not MERS, and it’s not influenza,” -WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) coronavirus causes SARS and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus causes MERS. The novel coronavirus, COVID-19 is one of seven types of known human coronaviruses. COVID-19, like the MERS and SARS coronaviruses, likely evolved from a virus previously found in animals.

What are the preventive measures for COVID-19?

The preventive measures for COVID-19 are as follows:

a. Wash your hands frequently

To keep yourself and others from COVID-19 is by thoroughly cleaning your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Washing your hand prevents easy transmission of the infection.

b. Maintain social distancing

Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Sneezing or coughing often sprays small liquid droplets that may contain the virus. It’s easy to get someone infected through droplets.

c. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth

Most infections occur when a person incessantly touches their nose, mouth, and eyes. This is an easy way to pick up the virus. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth.

d. Practice respiratory hygiene

Make sure to cover your mouth or nose when sneezing or coughing. Use disposable tissue whenever you can.

e. Seek medical care early

Stay home or indoors if you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. This will protect you and help prevent the spread of viruses and other infections.

f. Stay informed

Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow the advice given by your healthcare provider, your national and local public health authority or your employer on how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

What Should I Do if I Think I Have Been Exposed to or Infected with COVID-19?

If you have been exposed to or infected with COVID-19, here are some of the major steps you should take.

a. Stay Indoor

You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care. Avoid going to public places or any other enclosed areas such as office, public transport, cinema hall, and schools.

b. Isolate Yourself

Avoid any form of contact with another person like touching, staying close, or using a same bathroom. You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just like you would around other people. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets and wear a facemask.

c. Call ahead before visiting your doctor

If you have a medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the healthcare provider’s office take steps to keep other people from getting infected or exposed.

d. Wear a facemask

Always wear a facemask to prevent the virus from reaching other person or the surroundings. You should wear a facemask when you are around other people.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in a lined trash can. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or, if soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

e. Keep your hands clean

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.

You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if you’re out of reach of soap and water.

f. Avoid sharing personal household items

The virus can stay on the surface of the metal for hours. Stop sharing dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home.

g. Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day

High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables should be cleaned from any dirt, soil, or liquid.

h. Monitor your symptoms

To keep yourself and others from any serious infection, seek prompt medical attention. Persons who are placed under active monitoring or facilitated self-monitoring should follow instructions provided by their local health department or occupational health professionals, as appropriate.

Updates on COVID-19 Globally

The cases of COVID-19 infections around the world are as follows:

Coronavirus Cases -98,422

Deaths -3,386

Recovered -55,634

To fight the cause, UN Humanitarian Chief Mark Lowcock released US$15 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to WHO and UNICEF to help fund global efforts to contain the COVID-19 virus.

The vast majority of cases in China — 87% — were in people ages 30 to 79, the China Center for Disease Control reported last month based on data from all 72,314 of those diagnosed with Covid-19 as of Feb. 11.

People with pre-existing illnesses are more likely to get seriously ill from COVID-19, and men have a higher incidence of such chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease.

Updates on COVID-19 in Nepal

Until now, Nepal stands in the list of least affected countries globally with just one confirmed case. It was found in one Nepali student who landed Nepal on 5th January from Wuhan and has been already recovered.