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Covid 19
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Covid-19 is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. It first emerged in 2019, it has not been previously identified nor witnessed in the human population. Specifically, the coronaviruses are enveloped, positive single-stranded RNA viruses which can infect human cells. SARS-CoV-2, is a virus that causes the COVID-19 infection (other virus variants were also shown to cause the COVID-19 infection) and was thought to have originated from Wuhan, China where it first displayed the ability to infect the human population (previously the virus was shown to only be potent to a variety of animal wildlife in the region).

 

As of 2020, there have been seven identified coronavirus species that directly affect humans. These seven are: HCoV 229E, HCoV OC43, SARS-CoV, HCoV NL63, HCoV HKU1, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2. 

What Is COVID-19?

Woman Getting Tested
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How Does It Spread?

Covid-19 is spread mainly through close contact between persons, most commonly the infections occur within a 6ft proximity of two persons. The main mode of infection is through respiratory droplets and aerosols which are created when an infected person sneezes, coughs, talks etc. These droplets may then come into contact with another person’s nose, mouth, or eyes which could potentially cause the droplet to end up in their mucous membrane. Alternatively, the virus can be spread through the touching of an infected person's hands or an object with infected material and be spread to the facial openings that way.

 

Those who possess the virus and are asymptomatic are still infectious, therefore it is advised that anybody with a positive test should maintain proper quarantine measures.

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Common Symptoms:

Seek emergency medical attention if you have the bolded symptoms

Stated by the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) 

  • Fever  

  • Cough 

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. 

  • Fatigue 

  • Muscle or body aches 

  • Headache 

  • New loss of taste or smell 

  • Sore throat 

  • Congestion or runny nose 

  • Nausea or vomiting 

  • Diarrhea 

  • Loss of taste or smell

  • Trouble breathing 

  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest 

  • Confusion  

  • Inability to wake or to stay awake 

  • Pale, grey, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds 

    • Depending on skin tone 

References:​

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Covid-19: Frequently Asked Questions. 2021. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#Symptoms-&-Emergency-Warning-Signs (accessed 2021-02-28). 

  2. Velavan. T. P; Meyer, C. G. The COVID-19 Epidemic. In Tropical Medicine and International Health. 2020, 25 (3), 278-280. DOI: 10.1111/tmi.13383.  

  3. World Health Organization. Coronavirus. https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1 (accessed 2021-02-28). 

  4. Government of Canada. COVID-19: Main Modes of Transmission. 2020. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/main-modes-transmission.html (accessed 2021-02-28). 

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