Coronavirus: All you need to know!

Pakistan has confirmed its first two cases of a novel coronavirus, State Minister of Health tweeted on Wednesday.

According to the reports, a statement issued late Wednesday night confirming the cases of novel coronavirus saying that the first confirmed case of the deadly virus reported in Karachi with a “history of travel to Iran where he has acquired the virus” whereas, the second case reported in the federal capital.

Reports regarding the spread of COVID-19 that originated from Wuhan confirmed that it has gripped more than 30 countries in Europe, Middle East, and Asia killing over 2,800 and infected 80,000 mostly in China.

Pakistan has already taken some necessary steps in wake of the epidemic; the country still faces a potential health crisis from the spread of the virus as the neighbouring country Iran has appeared as worst affected after China which has 139 confirmed cases and 19 deaths.

World Health Organization (WHO) has advised people to take precautions against COVID-19 to reduce exposure and transmission.

Potential symptoms of coronavirus

The health experts say that the virus can cause pneumonia. People who have fallen ill are experiencing coughs, fever and breathing difficulties while in severe cases there can be organ failure. The health experts explained that since this is viral pneumonia, antibiotics are of no use. The antiviral drugs we have against the flu will not affect. Recovery depends on the strength of the immune system.

How does COVID-19 spread?

The scientists are still assessing how it spreads from person to person since it is a new illness, but similar viruses spread via cough and sneeze droplets.

• When an ill person coughs or sneezes, they discharge droplets of saliva or mucus through mouth or nostrils. These droplets can fall on people in the vicinity and can be either directly inhaled or picked up on the hands then transferred when someone touches their face, causing infection. For flu, some hospital guidelines define exposure as being within six feet of an infected person who sneezes or coughs for 10 minutes or longer.
• It can also be spread through droplets landing on surfaces such as desks in school and seats on buses or trains. It also depends on how long viruses survive on surfaces and this can vary from hours to months.
• According to reports, the virus can be spread by people before they have symptoms. Some other illnesses such as flu can be passed from one person to another before symptoms occur.

 

Protection from coronavirus

Health experts recommend that if you have recently travelled from places affected by coronavirus, you should stay indoors and avoid contact with other people .

• Hands washing: Wash your hands with clean, running water and apply soap. Lather your hands, including the backs, between your fingers, and under your nails and scrub for at least 20 seconds then Rinse.
• Mouth and nose should be covered:When you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the bin and wash your hands. In case you do not have a tissue to hand, cough or sneeze into your elbow rather than your hands.
• Face masks: It offer some safety as they only block liquid droplets. However, they do not block smaller vapors that can pass through the material of the mask. The masks also leave the eyes exposed and there is evidence that some viruses can infect a person through the eyes.
• Seek early medical help if you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, share your travel history with healthcare providers.
• Avoid direct, unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces if you are visiting live markets in affected areas.
• Stay Indoors: If you have returned from an affected area in the last two weeks, stay indoors and avoid contact with other people for 14 days. This means not going to work, school or public areas.

It has been confirmed that coronavirus is spreading human-to-human as per China’s national health commission.