What is Coronavirus?
World Health Organization (WHO) defines coronavirus as a collection of viruses that can be found in mammals, reptiles and birds. In 2003 the outbreak first occurred in southern China, known as SARS, severe acute respiratory syndrome. Then in 2012, coronavirus outbreak occurred in Saudi Arabia which was known as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). Apparently this virus spread from camels to humans.
Origin of the novel coronavirus however is still unknown. It was believed that the virus spread from the food market in Wuhan. However, it has yet to be confirmed as to where did this virus come from.
How does the deadly virus spread?
According to the American Center for Diseases Control, CDC, the virus spreads through infected droplets from one person to another. It transmits easily from human to human through hand shake, infected droplets let out though cough or sneeze or any other sort of human interaction. CDC further suggests that infected animals, surfaces and objects do not seem to be major causes of spread of the virus.
Symptoms of COVID-19: –
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include mild to high grade fever, dry cough, body ache, shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing. Other symptoms include upset stomach, diarrhea, loss of taste buds and smell. In severe cases COVID-19 may even cause neurological diseases. Those who have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or hypertension are more likely to show severe symptoms. In worst cases COVID-19 may lead to pneumonia and multiple organ failure if not treated immediately. According to CDC the symptoms may take from 2 to 14 days to show up after being exposed to the virus.
US states that have been most affected by COVID-19: –
As 2020 commenced, the virus went rampant unchecked across the US. The US Secretary of Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency by the end of January, 2020 owing to the spread of the disease. President Trump addressed the issue and declared a federal emergency in March. Cases continued to spike in the US for months. Country-wide locked was observed as schools, offices, markets, restaurants everything came to a halt. Hospitals and medical centers were burdened with ever-increasing number of COVID-19 patients.
More than 3,445,500 people in the US have been infected with the deadly virus and it continues to spread. However the most populous states such as New York and California have been affected the worst by the pandemic. In the New York City about one of every 371 citizen died due to COVID-19. On the other hand, the less densely populated states such as Hawaii and Montana, cases have been very less. In some remote counties surprisingly there has not been even a single COVID-19 case.
Thousands of cases in the US have been detected as coming from clusters in nursing homes, restaurants, cruise ships and long-term care facilities. American jails and prisons have also reported a great chunk of
COVID-19 cases.
Necessary measures to prevent the spread of the disease: –
In order to control the spread of the virus in the US it is everyone’s duty to play his/her role. You can protect yourself as well as your beloveds from this deadly virus by taking simple precautionary measures.
- Maintain a social distance of at least six feet whenever you are out of your home, whether in park, shop or anywhere.
- Wash your hands thoroughly for twenty seconds with soap and water.
- Avoid touching your face especially nose and mouth when you are outside and there is a risk of your hands being dirty.
- Always wear face mask when you are out of your home. It protects not only yourself as well as others from the risk of being infected.
- Avoid going in gatherings and crowded places as much as you can. Try to do as much work from home as possible.
