Health

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. It is defined as illness caused by a novel coronavirus now called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It started in Wuhan, China in late 2019 and has since spread across the world. Like, SARS, the novel coronavirus is a zoonotic disease which begins in animals and then transmitted from animals to people.

What Does Covid-19 Stands for?

The coronavirus disease of 2019 was given the abbreviated name of COVID-19 by the WHO in a press release on February 11, 2020. Full form or abbreviation of Covid-19 is CO’ stands for corona, ‘VI‘ for virus, ‘D’ for disease and ‘19’ for 2019

How does coronavirus (COVID-19) spread?

The experts believe that the virus responsible for Covid-19 spread is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through persons to persons.

Indirect Transmission: This usually happens when an infected person coughs or sneezes near other persons. The droplets generated by coughs or sneezes of the infected person may infect another person.

Direct Transmission: It may also be possible to get sick if you touch a surface that has the virus on it and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.

What are the Symptoms of Covid-19?

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization.

Most common symptoms:

• Fever
• Dry cough
• Tiredness

Less common symptoms:

• Aches and Pains
• Sore Throat
• Diarrhoea
• Conjunctivitis
• Headache
• Loss of taste or Smell
• A rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes

 Serious symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Chest pain or pressure
• Loss of speech or movement

Please seek immediate medical attention if you have serious symptoms

What is asymptomatic case of COVID-19?

An asymptomatic  case is a case in which a person infected with COVID-19 does not develop symptoms of Covid-19 disease. Asymptomatic transmission refers to transmission of the virus from a person, who does not develop symptoms.

What are the precautions one should take to stop spread of Covid-19?

• Clean your hands often using soap and water, or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer for at least 20 seconds.
• Maintain a safe distance of minimum 6 feet from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
• Wear a fabric/medical mask  over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin when physical distancing is not possible.
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
  
• Cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Stay home if you feel unwell.
• Avoid indoor spaces that do not offer fresh air from the outdoors as much as possible.
• Clean high touch surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• Monitor your health daily and if you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek immediate medical attention.