What more we need to know about the COVID-19 ?

 OVERVIEW: Coronavirus-2019

                A new strain of coronavirus causing pneumonia-like symptoms was recently identified in Wuhan, China, marking the beginning of the spread of the virus across the globe. Coronaviruses (CoV), so named for their “crown-like” appearance, are a large family of viruses that spread from animals to humans and include diseases like Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Researchers have now confirmed that the virus can spread via human-to-human transmission, though the original source of the virus has not been identified.    

‘’Stanley Perlman, M.D., Ph.D., an American Academy of Microbiology fellow, an ASM member and professor at the University of Iowa, talks about the outbreak of a novel coronavirus, COVID-19.’’ 

How is it different compare to other types of viruses?

            According to ‘’Stanley Perlman, M.D., Ph.D’’ the coronaviruses were studied primarily in domestic and companion animals, until the first outbreak (SARS) in 2003. They don’t know if this novel virus is different from SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, it does seem to behave more like SARS-CoV but all 3 cause severe human respiratory disease and have higher rates of mortality than the influenza or other respiratory viruses.

When it became a global concern?

      In December, 2019, Wuhan, Hubei province, China, became the centre of an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown cause, which raised intense attention not only within China but internationally. Chinese health authorities did an immediate investigation to characterise and control the disease, including isolation of people suspected to have the disease, close monitoring of contacts, epidemiological and clinical data collection from patients, and development of diagnostic and treatment procedures. By Jan 7, 2020, Chinese scientists had isolated a novel coronavirus (CoV) from patients in Wuhan.

On the 30th January 2020,  the World Health Organization (WHO) of the United Nations declared the epidemic a public health emergency of international concern.

Official Timeline of COVID-19

COVID-19 UPDATE: 

DAILY GLOBAL SITUATION (DATA AS OF 21 FEBRUARY 2020)

Source: World Health Organization

Global	76,769 confirmed (1,021 new)
China	75,569 confirmed (894 new)
Outside China	1,200 confirmed (127 new)

As of Febuary 22 the Global death toll rises to 2,458 as Hubei province in China reports more deaths!

By James Griffiths and Jenni Marsh, CNN

Updated 11:09 p.m. ET, February 22, 2020

• The global number of confirmed coronavirus cases now exceeds 78,572, with the vast majority of cases in mainland China.
• There are 40,127 patients hospitalized in Hubei, including 1,845 who are in critical condition, according to the health authority, and 15,299 patients have been discharged.
•  The Hubei report brings the total number of deaths in mainland China to at least 2,441. The global death toll is at least 2,458, with 17 deaths outside of mainland China.
• Iran has reported five deaths from the coronavirus, while Japan has reported three deaths, and Hong Kong, Italy and South Korea reach reported two deaths.
•  Taiwan, the Philippines, and France have each reported one death.

       UPDATES ON NOVEL CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 

(COVID-19)

     When did coronavirus reach the Philippines?

       The first case of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV, now Covid-19) in the Philippines was confirmed on 30 January 2020, in a 38-year old woman who arrived from Wuhan. Two days later, the Philippines recorded the first death outside China on 01 February 2020.By Praveen Duddu

As of Sunday, February 23, the DOH said it has probed 608 patients. There is still no recorded case of local transmission in the country.

Out of this number:

131 - admitted to hospitals

474 - discharged from hospitals

3 - confirmed cases

Of the 3 confirmed cases in the Philippines, one died due to severe pneumonia because of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new virus, while the other two have since recovered and are already out of the hospital.

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2019-nCoV infection cannot be distinguished clinically from other causes of pneumonia, an important differentiator is a history of close contact with a diagnosed case or history of recent travel (within 14 days) to an affected areas.

Most common complication is acute respiratory distress syndrome; other reported complications includes,

○ Septic shock

○ Acute kidney injury

○ Myocardial injury

○ Secondary bacterial and fungal infections

○ Multiorgan failure

What can you do to protect yourself?

PREVENTION is the KEY!!!

o   There is no vaccine against 2019-nCoV. Prevention depends on standard infection control measures.

o   Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

o   Frequent hand washing at least 20 seconds with soap and water after all contact and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

o    Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

o   DO NOT!  share personal items such as towels, dishes, or utensils before proper cleaning.

o   A person who cares for a patient should wear face masks, gowns, and gloves then remove and discard all when leaving the room.

Responding to such epidemics requires not only an immense public health and medical response. We have to be aware of the challenge and concerns brought by 2019-nCoV to our community and insert effort to understand, prevent and control this disease to spread further. Extra precaution could be helpful. IT’S TIME TO ACT NOW!!!