COVID-19
Something that everyone wants to know about.
What are coronaviruses?
Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that can cause illness in animals and humans. Some coronaviruses commonly circulate in the United States and usually cause upper respiratory symptoms such as cough or runny nose, although some can cause more serious illness. The 2019 novel (new) coronavirus causes the illness coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
What is COVID 19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019)?
COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness caused by a newly identified coronavirus that was discovered in late 2019 in China. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, and it is estimated that they cause roughly one-third of all cases of the common cold. Some coronaviruses cause illnesses in people and others only circulate among animals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people. The virus causing COVID-19 may have emerged from an animal source, and it is now able to spread from person to person.
How does it spread?
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
- Can someone spread the virus without being sick?
- People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).
- Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
2. Spread from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
Exposure and Symptoms?
Symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Symptoms may appear 2–14 days after exposure.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
- Soare throught
This list is not all-inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
TREATMENT AND PREVENTION
There is no antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19. People with COVID-19 may receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms. Patients may also be asked to self-quarantine at home in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Prevention
No vaccine is currently available for the coronavirus causing COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid exposure through simple precautions. Prevention steps include:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 per cent alcohol if soap and water are not readily available.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home if you’re feeling sick.
COVID 19 — Testing
Testing for the respiratory illness coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the associated SARS-CoV-2 virus is possible with two main methods: molecular recognition and serology testing. Molecular methods leverage polymerase chain reaction (PCR) along with nucleic acid tests, and other advanced analytical techniques, to detect the genetic material of the virus using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction for diagnostic purposes. Serology testing leverages ELISA antibody test kits to detect the presence of antibodies produced by the host immune system against the virus. Typically two ELISA tests against two different proteins produced by the virus on between 2 and 4 samples taken from sputum and swabs taken nasally and from the mouth. If either test is positive, a microneutralization assay test is performed to confirm the positive result. The microneutralization assay is highly specific, but significantly more labour and time-intensive. Since antibodies continue to circulate even after the infection is cleared, serology tests continue to be positive for individuals who have been previously exposed and developed an immune response, which means a positive test may not indicate an active infection. Serology antibody testing is being used both for surveillance and investigational purposes including, in China, confirmation of recovery, only while the molecular test methodologies are used to diagnosis active infections.
COVID Testing Kits and Technologies for testing:
- Everlywell, a home testing company that offers dozens of lab tests to consumers, is adding a COVID-19 test beginning on March 23.
2. Connecticut bioscience entrepreneur Jonathan Rothberg says he’s on the fast track to developing a low-cost home test for the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Rothberg, the serial entrepreneur and innovator behind next-generation, high-speed DNA sequencing and groundbreaking medical devices like a pocket-sized ultrasound wand and portable MRI machine, started brainstorming and crowdsourcing ideas for his coronavirus test on Twitter over the weekend.
Rothberg hopes to dovetail on a project being spearheaded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle that involves mailing nasal swabs to people’s homes and having them send them back to a regular lab for testing.
3. A report says the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is preparing to fund at-home testing kits for the novel coronavirus in Seattle.
However, the Gates Foundation cautions that the plans aren’t final.
The kits, to be available in the “coming weeks,” would quickly identify hot spots where the disease is spreading, according to The Seattle Times. The newspaper quotes Scott Dowell, leader of coronavirus response at the Gates Foundation, as saying it the initiative “has enormous potential to turn the tide of the epidemic.”
There is also strong evidence that it can be transmitted by people who are just mildly ill or not even showing symptoms yet. — Gates Notes
4. OSAKA — Textile and chemical product-maker Kurabo Industries Ltd. said Thursday that from next week it will begin selling test kits developed by a Chinese firm that can detect the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 in 15 minutes, far quicker than the current method.
The kit, which uses a small blood sample and a reagent, is expected to reduce time and costs compared to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test currently used to detect the pneumonia-causing disease, according to the maker. PCR testing takes four to six hours after a sample is collected from a patient’s throat or other parts of the body.
Kurabo’s kit will take only 15 minutes to display a red line on a test strip after a blood sample from a suspected patient is mixed with a reagent on the strip. The red line indicates the presence of antibodies for the virus in the blood and a positive test result, the company said.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/03/13/national/kurabo-coronavirus-test-kits/#.XnLzdnUzacq
5. Experimental COVID-19 Vaccine Test Begins as U.S. Volunteer Receives First Shot — TIME
This vaccine candidate, code-named mRNA-1273, was developed by the NIH and Massachusetts-based biotechnology company Moderna Inc. There’s no chance participants could get infected from the shots because they don’t contain the coronavirus itself.
It’s not the only potential vaccine in the pipeline. Dozens of research groups around the world are racing to create a vaccine against COVID-19. Another candidate, made by Inovio Pharmaceuticals, is expected to begin its own safety study — in the U.S., China and South Korea — next month.
Check out the next blog Strategies Of China — COVID-19 for more information. Feel free to contact for any help and collaborations for COVID-19. Let’s unite together and fight together.
