Uncovering COVID-19  —

"Unity and cooperation is the right choice the world can make in the face of a major crisis."

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is defined as an illness caused by a new novel coronavirus called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 or SARS-Cov-2. Because it is a new virus, scientists are learning more each day. It was initially reported to the WHO on December 31, 2019.

On January 30, 2020, the WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global health emergency.  On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, its first such designation since declaring H1N1 influenza a pandemic in 2009.

Where did it come from?

It was first identified in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. The SARS-Cov-2 made the jump to humans at one of Wuhan's open-air "wet markets." There where customers buy fresh meat and fish, including animals that are killed on the spot.

How did the COVID-19 start?

The Wuhan open-air " wet markets" sell wild or banned species like cobras, wild boars, and racoon dogs. Crowded conditions can let viruses from different animals swap genes. Sometimes the virus changes so much it can start to infect and spread among people. Experts say SARS-Cov-2 originated in bats and the transmission from bats to humans happened through an intermediary species.

Who are at risk?

Everyone is at risk of being infected by the COVID-19 but some groups, including older adults and people who have underlying medical conditions, are at increased risk.

These underlying medical conditions are:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
- Heart conditions (eg heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies)
- Immunocompromised state from solid organ transplant
- Obesity (BMI 30 to less than 40 kg/m2)
- Severe Obesity (BMI 40 kg/m2 or greater)
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease
- Smoking
-Type 2 Diabetes mellitus

What are the signs and symptoms?

Presentations of COVID-19 range from asymptomatic/mild symptoms to severe illness and mortality. Symptoms may develop 2 days to 2 weeks after exposure to the virus. 

The following symptoms may indicate COVID-19 :

- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea

Other reported symptoms have included the following:

- Sputum/ Phlegm production
- Malaise
- Respiratory distress
- Neurologic (eg, headache, altered mentality)

How does it spread?

The virus is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets from an infected person that is generated through coughing, sneezing, talking, shouting, or even singing. People can also get infected by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touching their face.

How to prevent it?

- Clean your hands often. Use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
-Practice social distancing. Avoid crowded and public gatherings.
-Stay at home.
-Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
-If you have a fever, cough, and have trouble breathing, seek medical attention.
-Cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or a tissue when you sneeze.
-Boost your immunity system by eating a healthy diet and maintaining physical activity.

Is there a cure?

- As WHO and partners work together on the response- tracking the pandemic, advising on critical interventions, distributing vital medical supplies to those in need--- they are racing to develop and deploy safe and effective vaccines. 

A COVID‑19 vaccine is a vaccine intended to provide acquired immunity  against Svere Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2  (SARS‑CoV‑2), the virus causing Coronavirus 2019 (COVID‑19).

As of February 2021, ten vaccines are authorized by at least one national regulatory authority for public use: two RNA vaccines (the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine and the Moderna vaccine), three conventional inactivated vaccines (BBIBP-CorV, Covaxin, and CoronaVac), four viral vector vaccines (Sputnik V, the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine, Convidiea, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine), and one peptide vaccine (EpiVacCorona).

As of 13 February 2021, 171.35 million doses of COVID‑19 vaccine have been administered worldwide based on official reports from national health agencies.