Coronavirus: Overview, Symptoms, Prevention, Latest Updates

Coronavirus belongs to the virus family of Coronaviridae. This is named after the crown-shaped structure found over its head.

Coronavirus was initially found in animals but was eventually found to have been transferred to humans, which is proved to be fatal for human society. They are zoonotic in nature, which means they can be transferred from animals to humans.

They cause diseases ranging from the common cold to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

The first case of coronavirus was recorded to the World Health Organization on the new year’s eve (31st December 2019) and was termed as Novel Coronavirus 2019 (nCoV 2019). The first case of coronavirus was recorded from Wuhan city of China. As of 28th January, 4500 confirmed cases of coronavirus has been recorded, of which 98% cases are from China.

According to the current status, coronavirus had spread to 4 continents. There have been three cases recorded in India itself. 31,161 cases of the epidemic have been recorded in China with the death status of 636 people as on February 7.

Chinese authorities placed Wuhan into quarantine, making it a town of ghosts. The citizens of Wuhan were abandoned by the Chinese government. They were refused from the use of public facilities like public transport, public toilet, and others.

It has been recorded to be found in a new-born baby. A 30 hours old has been diagnosed with coronavirus which raises the question that can the epidemic be transferred from a mother to a child? But the medical experts warn not to draw such a conclusion without a detailed study of the case.

"This reminds us to pay attention to mother-to-child being a possible route of coronavirus transmission, " says chief physician of Wuhan Children Hospital's neonatal medicine department, Zeng Lingkong. Other theories we’re given as when a woman gives birth vaginally, the child is more prone to catch the infection.

According to the World Health Organization, the following measures can be brought into practice to prevent oneself from being attacked by the epidemic. ⦁ Wash your hands frequently. ⦁ Use respiratory hygiene by covering your mouth while coughing or sneezing. ⦁ Maintain a distance of at least 1 meter from everyone, especially from those who are coughing or have a fever. ⦁ Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unclean hands. ⦁ Avoid consumption of raw or undercooked animal products