What is Noval Corona Virus (COVID-19)?
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of the virus that has not been identified before in humans.
The disease is named novel coronavirus (COVID-19)- “CO” stands for corona, “VI” stands for a virus, “D” for disease, novel means new, and 19 stands for 2019. Previously, this disease was referred to as the “2019 novel coronavirus or 2019-Cov. COVID-19 was first originated and recognized in Wuhan city, China.
A Noval Corona Virus (COVID-19) is a kind of virus that causes diseases of changing severities, ranging from the common cold to more stern respiratory disease or acute stage of pneumonia. COVID-19 is a virus that strains 80% genetically identical to the same family of viruses as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome {SARS}.
COVID-19 has been declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), which means this disease spreads geographically.
Health sectors around the world and UNICEF have been preparing precautionary measures and retorting to the epidemic of COVID-19, and acknowledged that the virus could spread among children and old people in any country or community.
How does COVID-19 Spread?
The novel coronavirus is spread through direct contact with a respiratory droplet of an infected person which is commonly through coughing and sneezing, and also touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. The COVID-19 may survive on surfaces for several hours, however, a simple cleaning with disinfectant liquid can eradicate the virus.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
COVID-19 Symptoms include fever, cough, sneezing, common cold, shortness of breathing, and in most severe cases the infection can cause pneumonia. Rarely, the disease can be fatal.
How can I avoid the risk of COVID-19?
Below is the list of precautions to avoid the risk of COVID-19.
- Wash your hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or Paper towel when coughing or sneezing. Discard the used Paper Towel instantly.
- Avoid close contact with an infected person who has cold or flu-like symptoms.
- Seek medical advice early if you, or your child or any member of the family has fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing.
- Use hand sanitizer if water and soap are not available. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
What is the best way to wash your hands properly?
- Wet hands with running water.
- Close the tap.
- Apply enough soap to cover wet hands.
- Scrub all exteriors of the hands- including back and inside of the hands, between the fingers, and under nails – for at least 20 seconds.
- Put some soap lather on the tap as well.
- Rinse thoroughly with running water and clean the tap too.
- Dry hands with a clean cloth or a Paper Towel.
- Discard the used paper towel immediately.
- In case of use of a Cloth towel, hang it under Sun after use.
- Wash the used cloth towel frequently.
Wash your hands often, especially before eating. After coughing, sneezing, after blowing your nose, and going to the restroom.
What should I do If I find a family member displays COVID-19 Symptoms?
If you notice COVID-19 symptoms like Fever, cough, and difficulty in breathing in yourself, your child or any member of the family especially senior member over 50 years of age, you should seek medical advice as earliest as possible. Consider calling the helpline numbers given by the government and health care center to test COVID-19.
If you have traveled recently to a city where COVID-19 cases have been reported or while traveling, if you were in contact with someone who showed symptoms of flu, then you should immediately quarantine yourself for 15 days. If you do not see the symptoms during this period of Quarantine, then you are not infected with COVID-19, but if you show the symptoms of high fever, cough, and sneezing then instantly seek advice from the doctor.
Below is the list of COVID-19 emergency helpline numbers of each city given by the Government.
- Federal– 116
- Punjab 0800 99000
- Sindh- 021 99204405, 0316 0111712
- Baluchistan- 1166
- KPK- 1700
- AKUH- 021 111 911 911