The Coronavirus: Not Your Normal Common Cold

As of February 10, 2020, about 43,090 people have contracted the Coronavirus and 1,016 people have died.

The Novel Coronavirus, also known as the Wuhan Coronavirus, was first discovered in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. A coronavirus is a blanket term for multiple strains of virus; the common cold being one of them. Yet these two viruses can’t be more different. 

There have been multiple diagnoses of Coronavirus in the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, France, along with the Far East. The virus continues to spread at an alarming rate. This virus is considered a global health emergency at this time. 

According to the New York Times, “While research has just begun, scientists have estimated that each person with the Wuhan coronavirus could infect somewhere between 1.5 and 3.5 people without effective containment measures.”

Governments across the world are urging their citizens not to travel to China, which is the main hub for the infection. Within China, public transportation is dwindling. In Wuhan, the entire city has shut down, leaving no route out. The entire population of the city has been isolated in an attempt to contain the virus. 

During a WHO (World Health Organization) news conference, WHO director general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that 80% of the cases of Coronavirus are mild, 15% require hospitalization, around 5% need intensive care, and 2% of the cases are fatal.   

The Chinese government has sent surgical masks and protective scrubs all over the country to aid hospitals, who are swamped with people infected. A new hospital was built in only ten days in response, and began seeing patients victim to this virus immediately. 

The Coronavirus is spread by coughing and/or sneezing, physical touch with someone infected, or just touching an object with the virus on it. A runny nose, sore throat, fever, headache, and more can all be symptoms. It can have the intensity of a mild cold, or it can kill the person infected. There is no cure at this time for this fast-acting virus.  

Governments across the world are urging their citizens not to travel to China, which is the main hub for the infection. Within China, public transportation is dwindling. In places like Wuhan, the entire city shut down, leaving no route out. Citizens are stocking up on food and resources, impacting stores. Due to the entirety of the city being isolated, the transportation of food from other cities/farms is difficult. 

With the world on its toes, the Diamond Princess cruise ship was stopped off the coast of Yokohama after a former passenger tested positive for coronavirus. The ship housed over 3,700 people, and 135 of them have been reported to have coronavirus. For the time being, these people are being quarantined, to prevent the spread of this disease. This ship is only one of the three ships in Asia that have been stopped and put into quarantine. 

To prevent contracting Coronavirus, hygiene is very important. Wear a mask if you’re sick, wipe down surfaces regularly, wash your hands, and every other precaution you would take during the flu season. Watch for symptoms of pneumonia, and seek medical care if you present with them. By following these actions, the Coronavirus can be kept from spreading.