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COVID-19

What rather seemed like a respiratory disease that could be sustained in China has now

become a global pandemic, with thousands infected, dead and others recovering. What is this

disease and how does it spread? Well, the New Coronavirus, COVID-19 is spreading fast around

the world, with more than 272,000 people infected and the death toll has reached 11,300.

(Newey et al, 2020). The outbreak is horrifying just as the number of lives it has claimed, with

more reported deaths daily. Many countries around the world are grappling with stringent

measures to control the spread of the deadly virus, as scientists are working around the clock to

find a vaccine and cure for the pandemic. So, what is Coronavirus and how can it be prevented?

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that are found mainly in birds and animals. Most

of these viruses have been transmitted to humans, including the COVID-19, causing respiratory

illness with cold-like symptoms. There are two other respiratory diseases that are associated

with Coronaviruses, the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) and the Middle East respiratory

syndrome (Mers). These killed more than 1500 people in an outbreak since 2002.

The new COVID-19 has been classified as the deadliest virus, with most of its cases

classified as critical and severe. Countries like China developed measures to suppress the

spread, and so far, they have reported less cases unlike before. Italy on the other hand has
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recorded the most severe outbreak with death toll surging higher by day. Depending on the

location, the current death rate stands at 0.7% and 3.4%, depending on the quality of health care

and demographics. (Newey et al, 2020).

Wuhan, China, is considered to be the source of the Covid-19, which had an exotic

market selling animals, birds and fish. With the nature of these diseases, the exotic markets pose

a risk of viruses being transmitted to humans, especially when there are poor hygiene standards.

(Newey et al, 2020). The individual animal or bird that transmitted the virus has not yet been

identified, although it is suspected that bats could be the main original hosts. This is because they

contain the highest number of zoonotic viruses.

The rate at which the Covid-19 virus is spreading to other countries around the continent

is distressing, and with the current trajectory, it is expected that more people and countries will

be affected. While China has sustained its spread, the rest of the world is seeing a rise of

infections. Among the swift measures that China has taken to contain the virus include;

lockdowns, isolations and quarantine. Other countries have adopted these techniques too, while

emphasizing on personal hygiene like washing hands and social distance.

Scientists in China believe that it could take more time for the vaccine to the virus to be

developed, as the Virus has mutated into two strains, with one more aggressive. However,

doctors are trailing the existing drugs for viruses, like the HIV and the Ebola. While the results

seem promising, it is not yet clear if the drugs will be effective as full clinical trials have not yet

been concluded.

What remains is for the population to look out for safety standards and procedures, in

order to avoid contact with the virus. The Virus is spread through droplets, emanating from a
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cough or sneeze from an infected person. Touching infected surfaces and then to the eyes,

mouth or eyes could lead to infections. By keeping our hands clean by washing them regularly

using sanitizers, we can protect ourselves from Covid-19.

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Works Cited

Newey, Sarah et al. "What Is Coronavirus, How Did It Start And Could The Outbreak Grow

Bigger?". The Telegraph, 2020, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/03/21/what-

coronavirus-how-outbreak-start-pandemic-covid-19/.