Corona Virus 2019 (COVID-19)



• What is novel Corona virus
 Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause a wide range of illness from the common cold to more severe diseases. They are often zoonotic. • I.e., Middle East Respiratory Syndrome [MERS] and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome [SARS] 
• Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.
 • On 31 December 2019, the WHO China Country Office was informed of pneumonia cases of unknown cause in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. A novel coronavirus (COVID19) was isolated and identified as the causative virus by Chinese authorities on 7 January.
• What we Know about COVID-19
• Incubation period - current estimates of the incubation period of the virus range: 1-12.5 days (median 5-6 days). 
• Estimates will be refined as more data become available. More information needed to determine whether transmission can occur from asymptomatic individuals or during the incubation period. 
• Modes of transmission: droplets sprayed by affected individuals, contact with patient respiratory secretions, contaminated surfaces and equipment. 
• Transmission from animals and human-to-human. 
• Currently no available treatment or vaccination, supportive measures only. 
• COVID-19 signs and symptoms
Illness seems to start with a fever, followed by a dry cough, and then, after a week, leads to shortness of breath and some patients needing hospital treatment


• Precautions for COVID-19
• Avoid close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections 
• Frequent hand hygiene, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment 
• People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice respiratory etiquette, wear a medical mask and seek medical care if in respiratory distress
• Avoid touching your face
• Wash hands before eating and after using the bathroom
• Wash hands after coughing or sneezing
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. If using alcohol it is recommended to use the 70% alcohol and not the 95% one.

• Treatment for COVID-19
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus
Current treatment is based on the signs and symptoms of cases individually.