Everything You Need to Know About the Coronavirus

The World Health Organization declared a state of global health emergency following a pandemic outbreak that originated in Wuhan, China in December of 2019 has now quickly spread worldwide. The WHO and U.S. government health officials began initiating investigation into cases of this illness after many patient reports of people visiting a very large and popular seafood wholesale market (Hua Nan), located in Wuhan. After the seafood market was closed January 1st, Wuhan, a capital of the Hubei province in central China was discovered to be the epicenter of the outbreak; in February there were 490 confirmed cases. Travel restrictions have been heavily placed on countries attempting to travel to and from China as numbers reflect over 303,000 confirmed cases worldwide. China as well as other countries such as the U.S., Hong Kong, Japan, and Thailand have began quarantining patients that may have had contact with the market, and/or may have traveled to Wuhan, China within the past month.

Here’s what we know so far:

According to the World Health Organization, coronaviruses (CoV) are a family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to severe diseases like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Coronaviruses are known to be zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Although they are known to be zoonotic, health officials now transmission between human to human is occurring in new reported cases. In confirmed cases in the United States, some patients have not visited China nor the market, but came in contact with someone else who previously visited the country/ market.

There are over 26.6K confirmed cases in the United States.

In February, there were six states with confirmed cases of the coronavirus and now in late March it continues to spread to each state of the U.S.. Deaths are calculated to be 3,259 in China with a steady rising number of reported cases and deaths that are totally over 4,825 in Italy. There are more than 91 U.S. public health testing laboratories (PHL) in 50 states including DC, Guam, and Puerto Rico where testing for the virus can be done if a person believes or shows symptoms of being infected. The State Department has warned Americans against all travel. With flights far and few in between only immediate family members of U.S. citizens or permanent residents are being allowed entrance to the country at this time. Mass hysteria and panic has seemingly taken over grocery stores and large public areas/spaces. Citizens are attempting to stock up on household essential items like toilet paper and facial tissue, while major events (crowds of 10 people or more) are being canceled and/or postponed due to the virus. President Trump has declared a national emergency following the outbreak of the virus, inciting closures of major businesses and companies.

What are the symptoms?

Common signs and symptoms of infection include respiratory illness, fever, cough, diarrhea, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases it can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and possibly death. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Please tell your health care provider if you have traveled in an area where the coronavirus has been reported, or if you have been in close contact with someone who has traveled and has respiratory symptoms. If you have mild respiratory symptoms and no travel history (whether inside or outside of the US), carefully practice basic respiratory and hand hygiene by staying inside your home until you are recovered, if possible. Social distancing has been recommended to prevent the spread further.

How to Prevent Coronavirus

The World Health Organization advises regular hand washing with soap and water after touching animals and animal products. Please avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with hands; and avoid contact with sick animals or spoiled animal products. Avoid contact with potentially contaminated animal waste or fluids on the soil or structures of shops and market facilities. Avoid any consumption of raw or undercooked animal products, handle any raw meat, milk or animal organs with care to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices.