1.

Concepts and definitions of pandemic

According to a dictionary, pandemic is an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a

wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the
population.

Indeed a pandemic is the worldwide spread of a new disease. It is an epidemic of

an infectious disease that has spread across a large region, for instance multiple
continents or worldwide, affecting a substantial number of people. A disease or
condition is not a pandemic merely because it is widespread or kills many people; it
must also be infectious. For instance, cancer is responsible for many deaths but is
not considered a pandemic because the disease is neither infectious no
contagious.

Throughout human history, there have been a number of pandemics of disease

such as “smallpox” and “tuberculosis”. The most fatal pandemic in recorded history
was “the Black Death” (also known as The Plague), which killed an estimated
75-200 million people in the 14 th century. Other notable pandemic include the
“1918 influenza pandemic”(Spanish Flu). Current pandemics include “HIV/AISD”
and “COVID-19”

2.There are many different kinds of coronaviruses . Some of them can cause colds
or other mild respiratory (nose, throat, lung) illnesses. Other coronaviruses can
cause more serious disease, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). They are named for their
appearance: Under the microscope, the viruses look like they are covered with
pointed structures that surround them like a corona, or crown. A newly identified
coronaviruses, SARS-COVI-2, has caused a worldwide pandemic of respiratory
illness, called COVI-19

#. COVI-19 is the disease caused by the new coronaviruses that emerged in China
in December 2019. According to media report, more than 200 country and
territories have been affected by COVID-19, with major outbreaks occurring in
central China, Iran, Western Europe and the United Stated. On 11 March 2020, the
Word Health Organization characterized the spread of COVI-19 as a pandemic.

#. Several of the early cases had visited Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market and
so the virus is thought to have a zoonotic origin. The virus that caused the outbreak
is known as Sars-CoV-2, a newly discovered virus closely related to bat
coronaviruses, pangolin coronaviruses, and SARS-CoV.
The scientific consensus is that COVID-19 has a natural origin. The probable bat-
to-human infection may have been among people processing bat carcasses and
guano in the production of tradition Chinese medicines.

#. As of now, researchers know that the new coronaviruses is spread through

droplet released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The
droplets generally do not travel more than a few feet, and they fall to the ground (or
on to surfaces) in a few seconds this is why physical distancing is effective in
preventing the spread.

#. Diagnosis may be difficult with only a physical exam because mild cases of
COVID-19 may appear similar to the flu or a bad cold. A laboratory test can confirm
the diagnosis.

#. COVID-19 symptoms include:

-Cough

-fever

-Shortness of breath

-Muscle aches

-Sore throat

-Unexplained loss of taste or small

-Diarrhea

-Headache

In rare cases, COVID-19 can lead to severe respiratory problems, Kidney failure or
death.

#. To slow the spread of COVID-19 through different countries, centers for disease
control and prevention has encouraged people to practice “Social Distancing”
measures.

Social distancing is a public health practice that aims to prevent sick people from
coming in close contact with healthy people in order to reduce opportunities for
disease transmission. It can include large-scale measures like canceling group
events or closing public space, as well as individual decisions such as avoiding
crowds.
With COVID-19, the goat of social distancing right now is to slow down the
outbreak in order to reduce the chance of infections among high-risk populations
and to reduce the burden on health care systems and workers.

#. People of all ages can be infected by the new coronaviruses. Older people, and
people with preexisting medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart
disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.

#. Once acquired, the incubation period of COVID-19 is about 10-14 days following
exposure. Although many anecdotal report about the infection have been
published, there is still a great dead more to learn as to how the disease present,
its course, and prognosis.

This is one of the first case series to reveal the clinical course and prognosis of
COVID-19 patients. The retrospective case study was undertaken at two hospitals
in Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak. The study evaluated
patients admitted until February 2020. The diagnosis of coronaviruses was
confirmed by real- time PCR. The clinical course of non-survivors and survivors
was compared, and the risk factors for mortality were evaluated.

Unfortunately, as yet, there is no specific treatment, and all treatment are empirical
and symptom mediated.

#. As of now, there is not a specific treatment for the virus. People who become
sick from CIVID-19 should be treated with supportive measures: those that relieve
symptoms. For severe cases, there may be additional options for treatment,
including research drugs and therapeutic.

#. Public gatherings and social occasions significantly increase the risk of COVI-19
spreading

Rules for public gatherings and social gatherings differ between states and
territories.

#.Cloth face coverings are an additional step to help slow the spread of COVID-19
when combined with every day preventive actions and social distancing in public
settings.

#.It is crucial to practice good hygiene, respiratory etiquette and physical

distancing.

Standard recommendations to prevent the spread of COVID-19 include frequent

cleaning of hands using alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water; covering the
nose and mouth with a flexed elbow or disposable tissue when coughing and
sneezing and avoiding close contact with anyone that has a fever and cough.

#.If you have or think you might have COVI-19, it is important to stay home and
away from other people. Staying away from others helps stop the spread of
COVID-19.

#.Some countries seem to be weathering the coronaviruses pandemic better than

others. One country that moved rapidly to deal with the emerging threat was Cuba.

Cuba has several advantages over many states, including free universal
healthcare, the world is highest ratio of doctors to population, and positive health
indicators, such as high life expectancy and low infant mortality. Many of its doctors
have volunteered around the world, building up and supporting other countries
health systems while gaining experience in emergencies.

Cuba is reaction to the coronaviruses threat was swift. A prevention and control
plan, prepared in January 2020, included training medical staff, preparing medical
and quarantine facilities, and informing the public about symptoms and
precautions. So, when the first three reported cases were confirmed on March 11,
arrangement were in place to trace and isolate contact, mobilize medical students
for nationwide door-to-door surveys to identify vulnerable people and check for
symptoms, and roll out a testing programmer.
Annex