SARS-CoV-2 is the strain of coronavirus that causes Covid-19. It is also one of several know coronavirus strains that affects humans.

Seven known strains of coronavirus that can infect humans according to WebMd

• 229E
• NL63
• OC43
• HKU1
• MERS-CoV, a beta virus that causes Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)
• SARS-CoV, a beta virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
• SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19

Origin of Coronavirus

Coronavirus was first discovered in the 1930s when respiratory infections greatly affected domesticated chickens. The infections were caused by the infectious bronchitis virus (IBV).

Coronavirus was first discovered in humans in the 1960s. Studies over a few decades result in the discovery of new strains of the virus that infects humans. These include SARS-COV in 2003, HCV NL63 in the next year or 2004, HCV HKU1 in 2005, MERS-CoV in 2012, and SARS-CoV-2 in 2019.

SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) is currently responsible for the global pandemic. It originates from Wuhan city, China in 2019, and then spread to other countries. For example, regions such as the US, UK, Italy, and Spain. As of today, Covid-19 is responsible for over 128 million infections worldwide with more than 2.7 million deaths. United States, Brazil, India, France, and Russia are among the top 5 countries with the most infections.

Who is at Risk?

Covid-19 can infect anyone but some people are more at risk than others.  Therefore, older people and anyone with underlying health problems such as kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a fragile immune system, diabetes, heart diseases or cardiovascular disease, and cancer are most likely to be at risk.

Prevention From Getting Infected

According to the Centers for Disease control and prevention (CDC), the best way to pervert infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus.

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use hand sanitizer
• Only travel if necessary
• If you are sick stay home and only leave home to seek medical attention
• Wear a mask indoor and outdoor when you are in public places
• Maintain social distancing at all times in public places (stay at least 6 feet apart)
• Avoid gathering in groups without people from your household

Symptoms of Covid-19

Coronavirus causes respiratory tract infections that range from placid to fatal. It can take around 5-6 days to show the symptoms when someone is infected.

The most common symptoms are:

• Fever or chills
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Muscle or body aches
• Sore throat
• Loss of taste or smell
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Tiredness or  fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Congestion or runny nose

Diagnoses

Covid-19 can be diagnosed in two ways. Both methods of testing are very accurate and reliable. On rare occasions, the diagnosis can produce a false-negative result. False-negative results are more common in the PCR rapid test method, while PCR testing done in a lab is considered highly accurate.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) – this test can tell you if you are infected with the coronavirus that causes Covid-19. It is commonly done by collecting a fluid sample by using a cotton swab to collect the sample from your nostril. In other cases, samples can be collected by inserting a long swab into the back of the throat or spitting into a test tube to collect a saliva sample.

Antigen test – this test detects a type of protein in the virus. A fluid sample is taken for this test. A long nasal swab collects fluid samples.

How to Prevent the Spread of Covid-19

If you are Experiencing Symptoms or have been diagnosed positive please follow the steps below:

• Wear a mask to protect others and stop the spread
• Quarantine Immediately
• If immediate quarantine not possible distance yourself from others (Stay as far as possible but not less than six feet from others)
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces
• Sanitizer all surfaces and objects you came in contact with (door handles, phones, keys, TV remote, etc.)
• Monitor your health daily
• Call emergency service (911) if you need help or need to go to the hospital.
•  Practice all the above steps until you received a negative test

 Treatment

Drugs

There are no drugs or vaccine available to stop coronavirus infections. The only approved drug available to treat coronavirus infections is remdesivir (Veklury). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved and authorized remdesivir (Veklury) to help treat COVID-19 patients.

 Several antiviral have been identified as potential drugs to cure coronaviruses such as polymerases, viral proteases, and entry proteins. Currently, doctors use different therapies to alleviate the effect of the virus. It includes antiviral medications, a mechanical ventilator for breathing support, and different steroids to avoid lung swelling.

Vaccines

There are currently six vaccines that are in use worldwide.  These vaccines do not prevent us from getting infected or stop the spread of Covid-19, it only helps protect most of us who received the vaccine from dying or getting very sick. Persons infected with Covid-19 after receiving the vaccine have only reported mild symptoms.

According to Ourworlddata only 127 million individuals have be vaccinated worldwide, which is only 1.63% of the world’s population.

Vaccines Available Worldwide

Who are Now Eligible for Vaccination in the US?

• Everyone 30 years and older
• Health care personnel
• Essential workers
• Adults of any age with medical conditions

Pfizer Inc. is currently doing trials on vaccines for kids between the ages of 12 to 15. Pfizer claims that the vaccine is currently 100% effective in protecting against symptomatic disease. The study was done on more than 2,200 children, the research also did not find any safety concerns with the vaccines.

Economic Impact

Coronavirus has greatly affected the economic growth and progress around the world. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of many countries became negative which could resulted in inflation worldwide. Different industries such as sports, tourism, financial sector, and airline industries became stagnated which resulted in billions of dollars lost to these industries. Unemployment numbers also sky-rocketed worldwide.

Conclusion

Covid-19 has changed the dynamic of the entire world. The devastation caused worldwide resulted in millions of death. However, its death ratio is significantly low as compared to the number of people infected with Covid-19.

Covid-19 is still around today after started in the last quarter of 2019, and it’s still causing worldwide devastation. Most importantly, all of us need to do our part and take preventive measures to reduce the spread

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Countries with over 1 million Covid-19 cases as of today:

1. USA – 25,198, 841
2. India – 10, 701, 193
3. Brazil – 8,933, 356
4. Russia – 3,793,810
5. United Kingdom – 3,715,058
6. France – 3,056,198
7. Spain – 2,670,102
8. Italy – 2,501,147
9. Turkey – 2,449,839
10. Germany – 2,178,828
11. Colombia – 2,014,352
12. Argentina – 1,885,210
13. Mexico – 1,788,905
14. Poland – 1,496,665
15. South Africa – 1,430,648
16. Iran – 1,392,314
17. Ukraine – 1,206,412
18. Peru – 1,024,298
19. Indonesia – 1,024,298

Vaccines Already Approved

Moderna and Pfizer are currently the only two vaccines approved by the FDA. Both vaccines are about 95% effective and require two doses. The wait time between doses of Pfizer is 21 days. The wait time between doses for Moderna is 28 days. Both companies have confirmed that their vaccines work against other strains of Covid-19. Side effects for both vaccines have been similar. Side effects include but are not limited to inject site pain, muscle and joint pain, headache, fatigue, chills, and fever. Most individuals seem to get a stronger reaction after the second dose of the vaccine. According to the CDC, 39 million vaccines have been administered thus far in the United States.

Vaccines in Phase 3

Johnson & Johnson will be ready to supply 2 million doses of the vaccine as soon as it gets approval from the FDA. The company recently filed for emergency usage for their Covid-19 vaccine. While the effectiveness of the vaccine may not be as high as that of Pfizer or Moderna; people are excited about the idea of having a single-dose vaccine. Another positive aspect of the vaccine is that it has been tested on the different strains of Covid-19. According to fool, “The vaccine produced 72% efficacy in the U.S., 66% efficacy in Latin America, and 57% efficacy in South Africa.” The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is expected to be approved by the FDA in late February of 2021.

Novavax and AstraZeneca vaccines are currently still in the testing phase.  Novavax is 50% less effective against the South African variant. AstraZeneca is currently being used in the UK but it is not yet approved by EU. AstraZeneca vaccine is not very effective for people over 65, according to German coalition sources. Germany fears AstraZeneca vaccine will not be approved by the EU.

Covid-19 Treatment

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved and authorized a drug called remdesivir (Veklury) to treat COVID-19 patients. The drug is for patients 12 and over, weighing at least 88 pounds (40kg). The FDA may also authorize the emergency use of drugs that are not yet approved. Drugs that are approved for other ailments may be allowed to treat patients with Covid-19 but only if certain legal requirements are met. Persons infected with Covid-19 may also seek clinical trials. Depending on the severity of symptoms, individuals who qualify may be put on trials of “Monoclonal antibody treatments, Convalescent plasma, Baricitinib, and Corticosteroids.”

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