Stay Safe With Our Helpful and Informative Guide on COVID-19

What is Covid-19?

COVID-19 is one of the most recently discovered coronaviruses. It is a new virus that began in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and is now being spread throughout the world.

But what is a coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family or virus that causes illness in both animals and humans. They are zoonotic which means that they are transmitted between animals and people. Including camels, cattle, cats, and bats.

Rarely does an animal’s coronavirus infect people and spread. Viruses have different types, you have the most popular and similar examples such as smallpox, chickenpox and monkeypox.

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

Risk Assessment

The outbreak of the novel virus is a public health concern. And it is important to note that the current circumstances point towards a pandemic. BUT before you panic, here are bullet points towards the current risk assessment done by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

• The immediate risk of being exposed to COVID-19 is low.
• Those who are at an elevated risk of exposure are dependent on one’s location and profession.
• Of course, healthcare workers who are taking care of patients with COVID-19 are at the ones at an elevated risk.
• This includes travelers returning from affected international locations that can also spread the virus in their community.

Pandemic

The World Health Organization announced that the COVID-19 is now a pandemic. Labeling COVID-19 as a pandemic means that it has officially spread around the world.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been more than 126,000 cases for people who are infected globally. However, new data shows that nearly 70,000 people have recovered from the infection since the outbreak last December 2019.

Home care for friends and family who are suspected to have the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The World Health Organization has developed rapid advice on how to better care for friends or family members who are at home and suspected but not positive, with COVID-19.

• Let the suspected person be situated in a well-ventilated single room.
• Other household members should stay in a different room.
• Limit the movement of the suspected person around the house.
• Always perform hand hygiene and disinfection.
• Use disposable paper towels instead of cloth after washing your hands.
• Patients must use disposable masks.
• Avoid direct contact with body fluids like sweat and saliva.
• Gloves and protective clothing must be worn when handling clothing or linen from the person.
• Clean and disinfect bathroom and toilets after use.

13 Trivial Facts about Covid 19

1. Antibiotics are not effective against COVID-19.

This is because antibiotics do not work against viruses. They only work with bacterial infections. Remember that COVID-19 is caused by a virus and antibiotics must not be used to prevent or treat COVID-19.

Antibiotics must also only be used as directed by a physician to treat a bacterial infection.

2. There is no vaccine, drug or treatment for COVID-19 up to date (12/03/2020).

However, those who are suffering from COVID-19 can alleviate or relieve their symptoms. People with this illness must be hospitalized and there have been patients who recovered thanks to the supportive care of medical facilities.

3. COVID-19 is NOT the same as SARS.

While they are related genetically, the diseases are quite different. SARS had a higher mortality rate but was much less infectious than COVID-19. There has been no outbreak of SARS anywhere in the world since 2003.

4. Only wear a mask when you are ill.

WHO urges people who are not ill to NOT use masks. The masks are used to prevent any respiratory liquid from spraying or getting contact with daily objects and people.

Avoid using precious resources and misuse of the masks. The best way to protect yourself is to provide masks for those who are sneezing and coughing and regularly wash your hands.

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5. COVID-19 has an incubation period of 1-14 days.

The incubation period means or talks about the time between catching the virus and when you begin to have symptoms of the disease.

6. There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 from an animal source.

While the coronaviruses are a large family of viruses and are common in animals, it is still yet to be confirmed. However, there are plenty of other parasites you need to be wary of if you uncook or mishandle raw meat. Always ensure good and hygienic food safety practices at all times.

7. Help stop the spread of COVID-19 by knowing the signs and symptoms:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Seek medical advice if you develop symptoms and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19. Or if you live in or traveled from an area with an ongoing spread of COVID-19.

However, don’t forget to call the doctor or clinic ahead for the nature of your visit so that they may prepare.

8. Diseases can make anyone sick regardless of their race or ethnicity.

Help stop the fear and stigma that being of Asian descent does not increase the chance of getting or spreading of COVID-19.

It was originally referred to as the Wuhan or Chinese Coronavirus as it started there but WHO named it COVID-19 to avoid any offensive or stigma to affect people, places, ethnic groups and animals.

9. Some people are at increased risk of getting COVID-19.

Healthcare providers, nurses, and doctors or people who have been close in contact with a person who has COVID-19 are at an increased risk of exposure than the common populace.

10. Someone who has completed quarantine or has been released from isolation does not pose a risk of infection to other people.

11. COVID-19 is NOT a bigger risk than the flu, But still should be taken seriously.

Influenza has a much bigger impact than COVID-19. There have been 22 million people affected by Influenza and over 15,000 people have died from it. And COVID-19 affects people of all ages not just the old and young.

12. It is SAFE to eat Chinese food.

Although this must be done in accordance with the guidelines and proper food preparation.

13. Spraying alcohol, chlorine or bleach will not kill any virus that has entered your body.

You must be careful as these substances can be harmful when in direct contact with your skin, eyes, and mouth.

How does COVID 19 Spread?

People can only catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. It can spread when a person is exposed to small droplets from the nose or mouth when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales.

Others can catch COVID-19 by touching objects or surfaces that the droplets from an infected person land on. Then by touching their eyes, nose or mouth, they become infected.

Can the virus that causes COVID-19 to be transmitted through the air?

The World Health Organization website states that COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through direct contact to respiratory droplets rather than through the air.

Can I catch COVID-19 from my pet?

No. There is no evidence that your pets and animals can infect humans or spread the virus that causes COVID-19.

However, it is advisable that you do not kiss or let your pets lick you and sleep on your bed. You also have to wash your hands before and after touching or feeding them. Lastly, limit your animal’s or pet’s contact with other people and animals.

How long does the virus that causes COVID-19 to survive on surfaces?

The virus that causes COVID-19 acts like any other coronaviruses which can persist for a few hours to several days. It may also vary under different conditions like the country’s temperature and humidity of the environment.

If you think a surface is infected, please clean it with a disinfectant to kill the virus. Always clean your hands with alcohol or soap.

How about receiving packages from any area that COVID-19 has been reported?

It is safe to receive a package from an area that has COVID-19. There is little chance that a person carrying the virus can contaminate commercially processed goods. The package has also been moved, traveled and exposed to varying conditions and temperature making the chances of getting infected extremely low.

Is Covid 19 Treatable?

Although there is no cure or vaccine discovered or made to combat the virus that causes COVID-19, there are generally three strategies to counter a new viral disease.

1. Applying broad-spectrum of anti-virals.
2. Use the genome (the genetic material of an organism) of COVID-19 to screen for existing drugs that can disable or destroy it.
3. Devise an entirely new compound or substance to target specific points in the genome to cripple or kill the virus entirely.

The first strategy was proven to be ineffective due to the complexity of COVID-19’s genome. The third strategy will also require years of development and testing.

This leaves the second strategy open. Although there is no established cure for the virus, it would be highly dependent on access to drugs that are influenced by production capacities and financial costs.

Vaccines may be available one day but it will still take years until one is developed, tested and marketed. For now, let’s leave them to our hardworking government who are doing their best to assist their community and affected regions of the world.

The Best Way to Protect Yourself Against Covid 19?

1. Always clean your hands with soap and water. Keep alcohol handy especially if soap and water is not accessible

Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. This is true especially if you have been in a public place after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

Always avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

2. Implement Social Distancing

Place a distance between yourself and other people. The virus spreads through direct contact and not through the air. Lessen the risk by avoiding any personal contact with anyone.

3. Stay home if you’re sick.

If you are sick or unwell, this means that your immune system is busy combatting a virus or bacteria.  Staying at home lessens the chance of infecting others and also avoiding catching other illnesses.

4. Cover coughs and sneezes

Covering your mouth or nose when you sneeze is not just about being polite. It is about limiting the spread of any respiratory droplets that may land on your friend, family or co-worker’s belongings.

Always throw used tissues in the trash and immediately wash your hands with soap and water.

5. Face Masks are ONLY for the sick

Face Masks must only be used by people who are ill in order to contain any respiratory fluids from latching on to people or surfaces.

You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick. Let’s leave the facemasks for our caregivers, healthcare professionals and volunteers in the front lines as they need it more than we do.

6. Clean and disinfect daily object

Always clean and disinfect any surfaces you frequently touch. These include tables, doorknobs, light switches, and workspace. You can use disinfectant wipes or alcohol and tissues.

Who gets tested for the virus?

There are three main reasons why someone should be tested for the coronavirus: they are having the symptoms, they are exposed to an infected person, or they come from an area with a history of positive COVID cases.

Also, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends testing people who had potential and obvious exposure to the virus. These refer to health care workers and volunteers who have been in contact with COVID-19 and symptomatic people in areas with high infection rates.

CDC also prioritizes people around 65 years of age with chronic health issues such as heart and lung disease or diabetes.

What is it like to get tested?

The process of being tested is easy and painless. It involves taking a swab from the person’s nasal cavity to collect cells from the back of the nose.

To detect the presence of the virus’s genetic material (RNA) in the patient’s sample, labs perform a test called reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.

For a patient, the process of being tested for the virus is easy and can potentially be done almost anywhere. And it takes 24-72 hours to get the results of a test.

What Should I Do if I Think I Have Been Exposed to or Infected with Novel Coronavirus?

If you are showing signs and symptoms and believe to have been exposed to COVID-19, please follow 3 simple steps.

1. Isolate yourself in a well-ventilated room.

This is to ensure that your family members are not exposed to any of your respiratory fluids like sneezing, coughing or saliva as this is how the virus spreads.

2. Call a doctor, clinic, and hospital.

Let them know about the situation and your condition before you visit their clinic.

3. You may also contact DOH through their contact number 711-1001 or 711-1002.

Depending on the status you may be placed under investigation or monitoring. Both will be handled by healthcare professionals who will provide you with the appropriate steps.