2. Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is
an infectious diseases caused by severe acute
respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-
2). It was first identified in December 2019
in Wuhan, China, and has since spread globally,
resulting in an ongoing pandemic. As of 21 May
2020, more than 5.01 million cases have been
reported across 188 countries and territories,
resulting in more than 328,000 deaths. More
than 1.9 million people have recovered.
3. Common symptoms
include fever, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath,
and loss of smell and taste. While the majority of
cases result in mild symptoms, some progress
to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
likely precipitated by cytokine storm,multi-organ
failure, septic shock, and blood clots. The time
from exposure to onset of symptoms is typically
around five days but may range from two to
fourteen days.
4. According to the World Health Organization, there are no
available vaccines nor specific antiviral treatments for COVID-
19. On 1 May 2020, the United States gave Emergency Use
Authorization to the antiviral remdesivir for people
hospitalized with severe COVID-19. Management involves
the treatment of symptoms, supportive care, isolation,
and experimental measures. The World Health
Organization (WHO) declared the
COVID-19 outbreak a Public Health Emergency of
International Concern (PHEIC)on 30 January 2020 and
a pandemic on 11 March 2020. Local transmission of the disease
has occurred in most countries across all six WHO regions.
5. Phase 1:
25 March 2020 – 14 April 2020 (21 days)
Phase 2:
15 April 2020 – 3 May 2020 (19 days)
Phase 3:
4 May 2020 – 17 May 2020 (14 days)
Phase 4:
18 May 2020 – ongoing (3 days);
scheduled to end on 31 May 2020
6. -Ban on people from stepping out of their homes
-All services and shops closed except pharmacies, hospitals,
banks, grocery shops and other essential services
-Closure of commercial and private establishments (only
work-from-home allowed)
-Suspension of all educational, training, research
institutions
-Closure of all places of worship
-Suspension of all non-essential public and private transport
-Prohibition of all social, political, sports, entertainment,
academic, cultural, religious activities
7.
8. 1. Even though cases are on the rise on a daily basis, things could get
worse. Look at what has happened in USA, UK, Germany, Italy or
Spain.
2. Air quality has drastically improved
3. People are practicing frugality
4. People are actively taking part in domestic chores and in the
process remaining fit.
5. New dishes are being tried out in kitchens.
6. Senior citizens are seeing more of the family members now that
all are locked up in home.
7. Road accidents and deaths have gone down drastically.
8. Smoking has reduced for non availability of the stuff. So has
drinking.
9. 1. Economy has taken a big jolt with all commercial, industrial and
agricultural activities coming to a standstill.
2. Daily wage and income earners have taken been thrown out of
their earnings.
3. Migrant labourers are facing huge uncertainty.
4. Many have already lost jobs. Some more are facing wage freeze as
well as truncated pay
5. Mental health of people, specially of elders will be hugely
impacted.
6. There could be sudden baby boom or increase in divorce rates.
7. Students facing huge uncertainty.
10. Recommended measures to prevent infection include
frequent hand washing, maintaining physical distance from
others (especially from those with
symptoms), quarantine (especially for those with symptoms),
covering coughs, and keeping unwashed hands away from the
face. In addition, the use of a face covering is recommended for
those who suspect they have the virus and their
caregivers. Recommendations for face covering use by the general
public vary, with some authorities recommending for them, some
recommending against them (to conserve masks for healthcare
workers), and others requiring their use. There is limited
evidence for or against the use of masks (medical or other) in
healthy individuals in the wider community.