Slowing Down the Spread of COVID-19

Healthful Vitality | 12/09/2020 | By Dr. Sharoon David | Slowing Down the Spread of COVID-19

In December 2019, a previously unknown virus was identified as a cause of a cluster of cases of severe pneumonia in Wuhan, China. The novel virus was determined to be a member of a large family of viruses known as a coronavirus (CoV). This virus has now been termed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). And the illness caused by it is called coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

COVID-19 and a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations

COVID-19 can present with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. These manifestations may be categorized based on their severity:

• Mild (uncomplicated) disease – Most patients present with mild fever, malaise, muscle aches, headache, dry cough, sore throat, and nasal congestion.

• Moderate disease – Shortness of breath may be present in patients with moderate disease; however, the signs of severe pneumonia are absent.

• Severe disease – Severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), respiratory failure, sepsis, and septic shock are some of the severe manifestations of COVID-19 and may result in death. Elderly patients and those with preexisting comorbidities have been found to be more at risk of developing critical illness.

No vaccine is currently available against COVID-19. And no specific antiviral treatment has been recommended. The treatment is generally symptomatic. Notably, oxygen therapy is a significant treatment intervention for severe illness. Some patients with respiratory failure refractory to oxygen therapy may require mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit (ICU) support. [1, 2]

COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the WHO

On March 11, 2020, COVID-19 was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). As of now, over 250,000 cases have been confirmed, and more than 10,000 deaths have been reported globally. However, the situation is in constant flux. And these numbers are expected to rise further. SARS-CoV-2 is believed to spread between individuals who come in close contact with one another, through respiratory droplets produced during coughing and sneezing. The virus may also spread by touching objects and surfaces contaminated with the virus, and then touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. Therefore, preventive measures are currently the recommended strategy to curb the spread of this illness.

Measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19

To slow down the spread of COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and several other organizations have recommended the following measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

Frequent hand washing

Washing hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds is perhaps the most important preventive measure. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer may be used to clean the hands if soap and water are not available.

Avoiding face-touching

Touching the mouth, nose, or eyes with unwashed hands may allow the virus to enter the body and cause infection. It is, therefore, important to avoid touching the face after interacting with a potentially contaminated environment.

Social Distancing

Close contact increases the risk of the spread of the virus. A distance of at least 3 feet (1 meter) should, therefore, be maintained. And close contact with people who are coughing or sneezing should be avoided.

Disinfecting frequently touched surfaces

Frequently touched objects and surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, tables, desks, phones, keyboards, faucets, and sinks, should be cleaned and disinfected, using common household disinfectants, daily.  

Respiratory hygiene

Practicing good respiratory hygiene can prevent the spread of virus through respiratory droplets. The mouth and nose should be covered using a tissue or the inside of the elbow, when sneezing or coughing. The used tissue should be disposed of immediately and hands should be washed with soap and water.

Staying at home

It has been recommended that people who feel unwell should stay at home. Besides, people with mild COVID-19 illness can recover at home. However, one must seek medical attention in case of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Admittedly, calling the healthcare provider in advance is crucial, as this will allow the provider to direct the patient to a suitable healthcare facility quickly. Furthermore, people who feel unwell should also avoid public transportation and taxis.

Wearing a facemask

People who are sick are advised to wear a facemask when around other people. Wearing facemasks is also of particular importance for healthcare professionals. However, people who are healthy do need to wear a facemask. [3, 4]

Conclusion

It must be emphasized that the situation surrounding COVID-19 is constantly and rapidly evolving. Countries all over the globe are adopting sweeping measures to prevent the spread of this illness. The measures include closing schools, colleges, and universities, restricting social gatherings, imposing travel restrictions, shutting down airports, and completely sealing their borders. In these challenging circumstances, staying informed and aware of the latest developments is essential. Notably, national and local health authorities possess the most current information. Must follow the guidance provided by these authorities. Simple precautionary measures, such as washing hands, not touching the face, and social distancing, can go a long way in our fight against this deadly illness. Indeed, slowing down the spread of COVID-19 is critical, and the involvement of all stakeholders is necessary.

Further Readings

In this situation, the latest COVID-19 research updates can be found at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) website. Additionally, the most up-to-date public health information is available at the WHO and CDC websites.

(Also Read: COVID-19 and Shift Towards Telemedicine)

References:

1. Cascella M, Rajnik M, Cuomo A, et al. Features, Evaluation and Treatment Coronavirus (COVID-19) [Updated 2020 Mar 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554776/
2. Lauer SA, Grantz KH, Bi Q, et al. The Incubation Period of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) From Publicly Reported Confirmed Cases: Estimation and Application. Ann Intern Med. 2020; [Epub ahead of print 10 March 2020].
3. Prevention of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html. Published March 16, 2020. Accessed March 19, 2020.
4. Advice for public. WHO | World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public. Accessed March 19, 2020.