What Is Corona Virus? A Complete Guide

Coronavirus took many lives in various parts of the world. While some countries are reporting success stories now, the death toll continues to rise in many. But how did the coronavirus start? Where was the first case reported and what caused it? These are some common questions we all are asking. So let’s find out.

What is Coronavirus?

Experts refer to this as a family of viruses that are capable of causing disease in animals. Seven of such viruses (including the new additions) have been causing mayhem in the human world. It is affecting people in almost every country across the globe. Some recover soon while others lose their lives.

Researches suggest that the COVID-19 virus is very close to SARS (severe accurate respiratory syndrome). However, SARS only took 800 lives and affected around 8,000 people. COVID-19 is much worse. Another type of Coronavirus (MERS) has also been claiming lives since its outburst in 2012. So far, the virus has taken 2,500 lives.

COVID-19 is different from the above two viruses because of its symptoms closely matching that of flu. Hence, making it difficult to tell a sufferer from a healthy person. In many cases, the carrier does not display any symptoms until it is too late.

How did the Coronavirus Start?

Everyone blames Wuhan’s wet market that was selling both dead and live animals which included birds and fish. Such markets are a common birthplace for such viruses that get transferred from animals to humans. Because of the difficulty of maintaining good hygiene conditions. These densely packed markets make it very easy for a disease to travel from one specie to another.

Researchers and scientists are still working on finding the animal origin for this disease. However, many think that the root cause is bats. Some debate that the market was not selling bats. But explanations like the possibility of bats infecting the chicken and other animals have come to surface. Especially after keeping in mind all the diseases that bats played host too. These included Ebola, rabies, and HIV.

Coronavirus Symptoms

If you happen to visit ATT or any other telecommunication company’s website, you will observe a link on top of the home page that educates people regarding precautions, and symptoms. In case, you have not come across any such website as yet, here are all the symptoms:

• Fever
• Shortness of breath
• Dry Cough
• Flu

Other symptoms include a loss of taste and smell along with stomach issues. But this is in severe cases.  If you happen to have any of the above-mentioned symptoms, you should talk to a doctor. A person who fears that he might be a sufferer should also self-isolate himself.

How does Coronavirus Spread?

Like all viruses, Coronavirus spreads through droplets as well. These droplets get onto various surfaces when a person coughs or sneezes. And others pick up the virus on their hands through these surfaces. When a person will touch his face with these hands, he will get infected as well. The virus can enter his body through his mouth, eyes or nose.

So, if you do not wash your hands at regular intervals and after coming into contact with a surface, you are well-aware of what does the Coronavirus does. Therefore, to protect yourself against any discomfort, wash hands regularly.

Deadly or Not?

Many people got scared of the rising number of deaths in countries like Italy and the States. And rightfully so. The virus was taking thousands of lives in these countries. It continues to do so in other parts of the world. So asking the question that is Coronavirus deadly or not, won’t earn you a single answer. Because in severe cases, Coronavirus is deadly. However, if you are lucky enough to catch the disease in its early stage, you can save your life too.

The mortality rate of the disease is not that high. It ranges from  0.7%-3.4% depending on the part of the world you are in. The only way to protect yourself against it is by staying at home as much as you can. Internet providing companies including Spectrum and Verizon are aiding you to do so by providing access to unlimited data during the quarantine. Make the most out of it.

How to Prevent Coronavirus?

As mentioned above, staying at home is the best possible prevention. However, it might not always be possible to stay at home. For instances like that, you should take the following precautions:

• Wash hands for 20 minutes after every 30 minutes.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Cover your sneezes and coughs
• Use a sanitizer for times when soap and water are not available.

Keep yourself distanced from people if you think that you might be suffering from the disease. Contact a doctor as soon as you start observing evident symptoms.

Stats of Coronavirus in the USA

The States observed one of the scariest effects of the virus. With thousands of people losing their lives in the last couple of days, the country is observing an absolute lockdown. In New York alone, the fatalities have risen to 10,000 with 2,074 people dead in 24 hours. New York is also the epicenter of Coronavirus in the States.

Things are harder for healthcare workers as over 9,000 of them contracted the disease. Some even died as a result.

Under such circumstances, the Internet providers lifting data caps encouraged the people to stay indoors. That was a smart move. Companies like Cox signed the pledge to keep the Americans connected in the time of need.  With the death toll of 20,000, let’s hope things get better soon for the States and the rest of the world as well.

FAQs

Is there a cure for Coronavirus?

There is no cure as yet. Only if caught very early, one can recover from it.

Where did Coronavirus come from?

Wet market in Wuhan.

What are the symptoms of the Coronavirus?

Flu, dry cough, fever, and shortness of breath.

How many people have died from the Coronavirus?

The death toll has exceeded 100,000

Disclaimer: *All the stats have been presented as were available at the time.