Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)
What you need to know about the virus to protect you and your family
SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2) is the strain
of Coronavirus that causes Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
ORIGINS
China – On January 1, 2020 Chinese government health officials revealed to the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) that a contagious infectious disease was afoot in Wuhan, China. Upon immediate receipt of these reports the WHO launched a series of investigative steps which unfolded during the first week of January 2020.
Although Chinas’ reports meant to imply that this cluster of outbreak cases connected to the Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan was the only one with documented infections, there has since been evidence that there were additional outbreaks of an unknown viral respiratory pneumonia beyond the walls of Wuhan.
Records indicate that by the time Wuhan officials had identified their local seafood market outbreak on or about December 30, 2019, there had already been 266 cases of an unknown respiratory pneumonia virus, within Hubei Province. These cases were eventually analyzed and diagnosed as containing genetic markers classifying them as those of an unknown Coronavirus strand. Of these 266 cases, nine of them occurred during the month of November, with the earliest documentation citing November 17, 2019.
In an effort to combat and control this Coronavirus outbreak, the People’s Republic of China
executed a quarantine lockdown in Wuhan and other Hubei province cities on Jan 23, 2020
Italy – It was not long before the largest crippling outbreak beyond Chinas’ borders was identified. The province of Bergamo, Italy was hit with what can only be described as a devastating, and initially uncontrollable, wave of Covid-19 cases. Its earliest official designated case of Covid-19 had first been diagnosed on February 21, 2020, but deeper research would indicate something different.
Although the World Health Organization had previously believed that the disease was unknown about before the Wuhan China reports in December 2019, it appears that some earlier collections of blood samples may prove otherwise.
The National Cancer Institute of Milan has recently released data which demonstrates that participants within a lung cancer study had developed antibodies from the Coronavirus disease sometime in the fourth quarter of 2019, weeks earlier than the February 21st official patient diagnosis.
The participants blood samples, which have since been analyzed for Covid-19 genetic strains and antibodies, conclude that the Coronavirus strain was circulating within Italy since September 2019.
If correct, this would mean that it was present in this area for four months before their officially diagnosed case on February 21, and two months before the outbreak in Hubei China Province.
Epidemiologists have yet to pinpoint the identity or geographical
origin of SARS-CoV-2 patient zero
United States – Although the first positively identified case of Covid-19 in the United States occurred in Washington state on January 20, 2020, CDC analysis’ of blood donations to the American Red Cross reveal interesting data.
Those tests show that some of the blood donated during a time period covering the middle two weeks of December 2019, were already found to have strains of the genetic makeup of Covid-19, five weeks earlier than the first positively identified case in Washington state.
Information about Covid-19 is constantly evolving, try to get your information from multiple reliable
sources, and make the best decisions based on you and your family’s specific situation and location.
SYMPTOMS:
It is believed that the basic elements of a Covid-19 infection will include symptoms of a fever and a cough, but these can be varied. Different symptoms may be present in different people with the same infection, and in addition, the symptoms may change over time.
AT-RISK :
The presence of pre-existing medical conditions in patients who contract Covid-19 have been found to result in the greatest number of deaths. These include hypertension, respiratory conditions, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
The pre-existing respiratory conditions from which most complications stem from include COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma. Studies suggest that of those patients whose condition had become dire enough for hospitalization, close to 89% had pre-existing complications.
As one could reasonably conclude, our older population would have more of a propensity to have pre-existing conditions, therefore this specific demographic should take even more precautions. The fact that their immune systems may be more compromised and subsequently more vulnerable, should lead them to exert additional caution when following sanitary procedures and social distancing protocols.
As a result of the importance of a robust immune system, the recommendations to properly maintain it are even stronger than ever. Among the critical things which can be done to improve our immune systems and increase our chances against this disease are: making healthy diet choices, eliminating cigarette smoking, engaging in more physical activities, managing stress, and getting optimal nightly amounts of sleep.
INCUBATION:
When the human body contracts an infection there is usually a time lapse between the initial infection, and the onset of the first symptoms; this is known as the incubation period. Covid-19 has an average incubation period of 4 to 5 days. It is extremely important to remain informed and cognizant of incubation timelines, and the effects they may have on you and your social interactions.
TRANSMISSION:
Studies estimate that each COVID-19 infection likely results in 5.7 new ones when there is a lack of preventative measures, and the exposed subjects are not immune. The spread of the virus is facilitated between subjects through close contact, and respiratory virus-containing particle droplets formed through talking, singing, sneezing, or coughing. Consequently, the longer and closer in proximity that this interaction persists, the more likely that an infection transmission will take place.
FATALITY RATIO:
The CDC has recently released some percentages which they believe are best estimates of fatality ratios per age in the U.S.:
0-19 years 0.003%
20-49 years 0.02%
50-69 years 0.5%
70 plus years 5.4%
PREVENTION:
CDC recommendations:
-Wash hands often with soap and water
-If not available or convenient, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
-Routinely clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
-Isolate from others and stay at home when sick
TREATMENT:
(October 22, 2020) Remdesivir is the first and only drug that has been FDA approved with a specific medical indication to treat COVID-19
VACCINE:
(Dec 2, 2020) the UK has approved the immediate distribution of 800,000 doses of the Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Covid-19 vaccine
*The preceding data is for informational purposes only. Consult your local health department for advice and current guidelines.
For your local up to date statistics: COVIDWorldStatistics