INTRODUCTION TO COVID-19 (JHON MARCEL ABARRA)

How did Covid-19 started?

As soon as the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in late December 2019, investigations were
conducted to understand the epidemiology of COVID-19 and the original source of the outbreak. A large
proportion of the initial cases in late December 2019 and early January 2020 had a direct link to the
Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market in Wuhan City, where seafood, wild, and farmed animal species
were sold. Many of the initial patients were either stall owners, market employees, or regular visitors to
this market. Environmental samples taken from this market in December 2019 tested positive for SARS-
CoV-2, further suggesting that the market in Wuhan City was the source of this outbreak or played a role
in the initial amplification of the outbreak. The market was closed on 1 January 2020 and was cleaned
and disinfected. The virus could have been introduced into the human population from an animal source
in the market or an infected human could have introduced the virus to the market and the virus may
have then been amplified in the market environment.

It was originally named Novel Coronavirus and The World Health Organization (WHO) advised the
following language associated with the virus. The virus causing the infection has been named - severe
acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

The disease caused as a result of infection is named - coronavirus disease (COVID-19). COVID-19 has
been categorised as an airborne High Consequence Infections Disease.

When did it is discovered and started in the Philippines?

January 21, DOH issues press release: DOH Investigates a Pneumonia Case with History
2020
of Travel from Wuhan, China
The Department of Health (DOH) today disclosed that it is currently investigating the case of a five-
year-old who traveled from Wuhan, China and was admitted in Cebu City ...

January 30, 4:30 PM DOH issues Press Release: DOH Confirms First 2019-nCoV Case in the
2020 Country
The Department of Health (DOH) today confirmed that a 38-year-old female Chinese patient under
investigation (PUI) is positive for the novel coronavirus …

What are its Variants?

Expert group convened by WHO has recommended using letters of the Greek Alphabet,
i.e., Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta and Omicron which will be easier and more practical to be
discussed by non-scientific audiences.

What are the effects and symptoms in the body?

 fever, fatigue, a loss or change to sense of smell or taste and dry cough is likely in the
early stage of illness, however some patients may not progress to more severe illness.
 dyspnoea is said to be common in hospitalised patients, while vital signs are reported to
be generally stable at the time of admission. Older patients with an underlying health
condition are more likely to progress to severe infection
 a variety of abnormalities may be expected on chest X Rays, but bilateral lung infiltrates
appear to be common, similar to what is seen with other types of viral pneumonia.

What is the treatment for Covid-19 patients?

Self care
After exposure to someone who has COVID-19, do the following:
 Call your health care provider or COVID-19 hotline to find out where and when to get a test.
 Cooperate with contact-tracing procedures to stop the spread of the virus.
 If testing is not available, stay home and away from others for 14 days.
 While you are in quarantine, do not go to work, to school or to public places. Ask someone to
bring you supplies.
 Keep at least a 1-metre distance from others, even from your family members.
 Wear a medical mask to protect others, including if/when you need to seek medical care.
 Clean your hands frequently.
 Stay in a separate room from other family members, and if not possible, wear a medical
mask.
 Keep the room well-ventilated.
 If you share a room, place beds at least 1 metre apart.
 Monitor yourself for any symptoms for 14 days.
 Call your health care provider immediately if you have any of these danger signs: difficulty
breathing, loss of speech or mobility, confusion or chest pain.
 Stay positive by keeping in touch with loved ones by phone or online, and by exercising at
home.

How to transmit?

The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when
they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe. These particles range from larger respiratory
droplets to smaller aerosols. It is important to practice respiratory etiquette, for example by
coughing into a flexed elbow, and to stay home and self-isolate until you recover if you feel
unwell.

How to prevent?

The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well informed about the disease
and how the virus spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by staying at least 1 metre
apart from others, wearing a properly fitted mask, and washing your hands or using an alcohol-
based rub frequently. Get vaccinated when it’s your turn and follow local guidance.

Links:

How did it started

https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/332197/WHO-2019-nCoV-FAQ-Virus_origin-2020.1-
eng.pdf

When did it started

https://doh.gov.ph/2019-nCoV?gclid=CjwKCAiA9aKQBhBREiwAyGP5ldus-
QBGKcNSZWBOEHfMCsHaReISvTgVh4Ou6JE8vxqwQEXIhLzjLxoCCjsQAvD_BwE&page=81

https://doh.gov.ph/2019-nCoV?gclid=CjwKCAiA9aKQBhBREiwAyGP5ldus-
QBGKcNSZWBOEHfMCsHaReISvTgVh4Ou6JE8vxqwQEXIhLzjLxoCCjsQAvD_BwE&page=83

Variants

https://www.who.int/en/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants/

Effects and symptoms

https://icmanaesthesiacovid-19.org/background

Transmit and prevent

https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1