Table of Contents
Where was COVID-19 first discovered?
The first known infections from SARS-CoV-2 were discovered in Wuhan China. The original source of viral transmission to humans remains unclear as does whether the virus became pathogenic before or after the spillover event.
What causes COVID-19?
COVID-19 is caused by infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus strain.
Coronaviruses are a group of related viruses that cause diseases in mammals and birds. In humans coronaviruses cause respiratory tract infections that can range from mild to lethal.
What are the strategies implemented for the control of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Strategies in the control of an outbreak are screening containment (or suppression) and mitigation. Screening is done with a device such as a thermometer to detect the elevated body temperature associated with fevers caused by the coronavirus.[185] Containment is undertaken in the early stages of the outbreak and aims to trace and isolate those infected as well as introduce other measures to stop the disease from spreading. When it is no longer possible to contain the disease efforts then move to the mitigation stage: measures are taken to slow the spread and mitigate its effects on the healthcare system and society. A combination of both containment and mitigation measures may be undertaken at the same time.[186] Suppression requires more extreme measures so as to reverse the pandemic by reducing the basic reproduction number to less than 1.[187]
The most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of all coronaviruses is estimated to have existed as recently as 8000 BCE although some models place the common ancestor as far back as 55 million years or more implying long term coevolution with bat and avian species.
Who issued the official name of COVID-19?
The official names COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 were issued by the WHO on 11 February 2020.
Is COVID-19 caused by a virus or a bacteria?
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by a virus NOT by bacteria.
In what conditions does COVID-19 survive the longest?
Coronaviruses die very quickly when exposed to the UV light in sunlight. Like other enveloped viruses SARS-CoV-2 survives longest when the temperature is at room temperature or lower and when the relative humidity is low (<50%).
Drinking water is not transmitting COVID-19. And if you swim in a swimming pool or in a pond you cannot get COVID-19 through water. But what can happen if you go to a swimming pool which is crowded and if you are close to other the people and if someone is infected then you can be of course affected.
Human coronaviruses are capable of causing illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS fatality rate ~34%). SARS-CoV-2 is the seventh known coronavirus to infect people after 229E NL63 OC43 HKU1 MERS-CoV and the original SARS-CoV.
The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) announced “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)” as the name of the new virus on 11 February 2020. This name was chosen because the virus is genetically related to the coronavirus responsible for the SARS outbreak of 2003. While related the two viruses are different.
How do viruses get their name?
Viruses are named based on their genetic structure to facilitate the development of diagnostic tests vaccines and medicines. Virologists and the wider scientific community do this work so viruses are named by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV).
Methods include quarantines travel restrictions and the closing of schools workplaces stadiums theatres or shopping centres. Individuals may apply social distancing methods by staying at home limiting travel avoiding crowded areas using no-contact greetings and physically distancing themselves from others.
What are the Unity Studies in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic?
WHO in collaboration with technical partners has developed several standardized generic epidemiological investigation protocols branded as UNITY studies. These studies aim to support national public health and social measures promote the international comparability of research and address gaps in current knowledge regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
What does the implementation of quarantine imply in the context of COVID-19?
The implementation of quarantine implies the use or creation of appropriate facilities in which a person or persons are physically separated from the community while being cared for. Possible settings for quarantine include hotels dormitories other facilities catering to groups or the contact’s home.
Regardless of the setting an assessment must ensure that the appropriate conditions for safe and effective quarantine are being met. Facilities for those in quarantine should be disability inclusive and address the specific needs of women and children.
How long does the virus that causes COVID-19 last on surfaces?
Recent research evaluated the survival of the COVID-19 virus on different surfaces and reported that the virus can remain viable for up to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel up to four hours on copper and up to 24 hours on cardboard.
Can you get COVID-19 from faeces?
The risk of catching the COVID-19 virus from the faeces of an infected person appears to be low. There is some evidence that the COVID-19 virus may lead to intestinal infection and be present in faeces.
Do smokers suffer from worse COVID-19 symptoms?
Early research indicates that compared to non-smokers having a history of smoking may substantially increase the chance of adverse health outcomes for COVID-19 patients including being admitted to intensive care requiring mechanical ventilation and suffering severe health consequences.
Is Covaxin approved in Canada?
Canada has approved the entry of travellers fully vaccinated with Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin from November 30. Recently the Canadian government said “…three additional Covid-19 vaccines approved for use by the World Health Organisation (WHO) will be accepted for travel to and within Canada.”
What is the Covid-19 Law Lab?
The COVID-19 Law Lab is a database of laws that countries have implemented in response to the pandemic. It includes state of emergency declarations quarantine measures disease surveillance legal measures relating to mask-wearing social distancing and access to medication and vaccines.
How effective is the Janssen Covid-19 vaccine?
A single dose of Janssen Ad26.COV2.S was found in clinical trials to have an efficacy of 66.9% against symptomatic moderate and severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Is it safe to take paracetamol before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?
Taking painkillers such as paracetamol before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine to prevent side effects is not recommended. This is because it is not known how painkillers may affect how well the vaccine works.
Can COVID-19 spread in hot and humid climates?
From the evidence so far the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in ALL AREAS including areas with hot and humid weather. Regardless of climate adopt protective measures if you live in or travel to an area reporting COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands.
By doing this you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes mouth and nose. Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days.
It is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces but it seems likely to behave like other coronaviruses. A recent review of the survival of human coronaviruses on surfaces found large variability ranging from 2 hours to 9 days (11).
The survival time depends on a number of factors including the type of surface temperature relative humidity and specific strain of the virus.
Can asymptomatic people transmit COVID-19?
Yes infected people can transmit the virus both when they have symptoms and when they don’t have symptoms. This is why it is important that all people who are infected are identified by testing isolated and depending on the severity of their disease receive medical care.
What is the difference between asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic COVID-19?
Yes both terms refer to people who do not have symptoms. The difference is that asymptomatic refers to people who are infected but never develop symptoms during the period of infection while pre-symptomatic refers to infected people who have not yet developed symptoms but do go on to develop symptoms later.
What is the COVID-19 technology access pool?
C-TAP was launched by WHO in partnership with the Government of Costa Rica under a global Solidarity Call to Action endorsed by nearly 40 Member States. WHO C-TAP implementing partners include the Medicines Patent Pool Open COVID Pledge UN Technology Bank and Unitaid.
Is handwashing recommended to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
With COVID-19 transmission mainly spreading between people through direct indirect (through contaminated objects or surfaces) or close contact with infected people via mouth and nose secretions washing hands with soap and running water is of critical importance. To stop the spread of COVID-19 along with other COVID appropriate behaviours the practice of handwashing at regular intervals is a must after coughing or sneezing when caring for the sick after using the toilet before eating while preparing food and after handling animals or animal waste. Handwashing after touching common surfaces such as doorknobs or handles or after one comes back home from visiting a public place will keep ourselves and others around us safe.
The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat milk or animal organs should be handled with care to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods as per good food safety practices.
Coronaviruses are zoonotic meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.
COVID-19 virus has been detected in blood and stool as had the coronaviruses responsible for SARS and MERS (14 16 19-21). The duration and frequency of shedding of COVID-19 virus in stool and potentially in urine is unknown.
All available evidence for COVID-19 suggests that SARS-CoV-2 has a zoonotic source.
Where was Covid-19 first identified?
It was first isolated from three people with pneumonia connected to the cluster of acute respiratory illness cases in Wuhan. All structural features of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus particle occur in related coronaviruses in nature.
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. The new virus was subsequently named the “COVID-19 virus”.
