Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Coronavirus And How To Protect Yourself From It

If you’ve been up to date with the news and are active on social media, you’ve probably come across the word Coronavirus. And no, it has nothing to do with the beer. Coronavirus is a new strain of the virus that has swept across China and is slowly making its way to other countries. As a matter of fact, the World Health Organization has declared the virus a global health emergency (1).

The virus death toll in China has already surpassed 170 people and there have been around 7,711 infected as of 29th January. However, before you start panicking, it is important to understand what the virus does and how to protect yourself from it. Read on to find out all the essential details (2).

What Is Coronavirus?

Data based on: China National Health Commission, BBC Research

A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, “coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals.” However, cases of an animal to human infection from this family of virus aren’t very common (3).

The most recent (and deadly) strain of this virus was first identified in a market in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China and soon spread across the country at an alarmingly rapid rate. It is unclear how deadly the virus is but severe cases can cause pneumonia and even death.

The central province of Wuhan is now in a state of lockdown to avoid spreading the illness around. Those living in the province have been asked to remain in their homes and work from home. Reports state that the infection has now spread to nearly 15 countries and WHO held a meeting in Geneva to discuss the potential threats of the virus. Many countries have begun evacuating their citizens from China. Countries ranging from the UK, Australia, South Korea to Singapore and New Zealand will be detaining evacuees for two weeks so that they can ensure the virus doesn’t spread. The main concern right now is ensuring that the virus does not spread to vulnerable countries with high populations like India, a few African countries and major cities like New York, London, Tokyo, etc (4).

The Impact Of Coronavirus On The Body

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Are you worried if you or someone you know might be in danger of contracting the virus? Here is a list of symptoms to look out for:

Shortness of breath
Fever
Cold & Cough
Diarrhea
Body aches
Sore throat
Breathing difficulties

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The symptoms are quite similar to that of a cold. However, if you do notice any of the above symptoms, it is best to get tested at the doctor’s office. There are a couple of precautionary measures you can take to avoid exposing yourself to the virus (5):

Wash your hands with soap and water or use a sanitizer that contains alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes with your fingers.
Avoid contact with those infected or anybody who’s displaying signs of sickness.
Wash your hands after touching public surfaces like doorknobs, handrails, etc.
Raw or undercooked meat should not be consumed and the meat should be handled with absolute care.

The Aftermath And The Effects Of The Virus On The World’s Economy

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Coronavirus has taken a huge toll on China’s economy (which is the second largest in the world) and many international companies like Ikea, Starbucks, Google and more have closed their shops or stopped operations in certain parts of China. The virus has already caused an economic slowdown and it’s predicted that the travel sector will be one of the most heavily impacted ones by this. Travel restrictions will be making a major dent on China’s tourism industry as well and many Chinese people will not be able to travel to other parts of the world. Considering that China has the highest population on the planet and contributes to approximately 20 percent of the world’s manufacturing output, those industries will also face setbacks (6).

Also, as per reports, Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok is the city that falls at the highest risk from the virus. Thailand is followed by the cities of Hong Kong and Taipei.

What This Could Mean For India

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On the homefront, the first case of Coronavirus was reported in Thrissur, Kerala. The patient is a student who returned from the Wuhan province a few days prior. As of now, the patient has been quarantined and isolated and around 1,053 other people in the state have been kept under observation (7).

The only advice one can give is to make sure everyone follows safe and hygienic practices and to avoid going out in large crowds or exposing yourself to someone who is already sick. If you have a weak immune system, it’s best to report even the smallest of symptoms to stay on the safe side. We wish those infected with the virus a speedy recovery and hope the virus is eradicated very soon.