The new coronavirus officially known as Covis-19 belongs to the family of coronaviruses. The family of coronaviruses is usually found in animals. Till now, seven viruses have jumped from the animals to human beings. Out of these seven viruses, three have been proved very dangerous for mankind. One is the latest Covid-19 and the other two are Mers and Sars. Mers and Sars have collectively killed almost 1500 humans since their arrival in 2002. The death rate in the case of Mers is 30% while in Sars it is almost 10%. As far as Covid-19 is concerned, the death rate ranges from 0.7% to 3.4% depending upon the location because there are different health facilities in different countries. But, this percentage of death toll should not be considered less by any means because this might even greater mayhem in terms of deaths. There is panic all around the world because there is no convincing vaccine has been invented. Yes! There are precautionary techniques and few health facilities available to stabilize a patient but those are not enough to save human life in all cases. This is because Covid-19 has been declared as a pandemic by WHO today as I am writing this article. This is alarming for the masses around the world because WHO is an international institution. This virus has been considered a pandemic by many scientists around the world but when WHO accepts this as a pandemic; it means that the water is already above the head. My purpose is not to further heightened the fear but we must know about the disease because we are compelled to face this challenge. As per the latest reports regarding Covid-19 by WHO, there are over 121000 confirmed cases of COvid-19 all around the world and almost over 4300 people have succumbed to it.
Symptoms of Covid-19:
The symptoms of Covid-19 include cough, fever, and shortness of breath. It is advised to consult your doctors if you have any of these issues. The cough and fever should not be taken lightly as a normal routine cough.
How did the Outbreak Commence?
It all started from Wuhan, a city in China, and spread throughout the world. There is a “wet market” in Wuhan, China where different kinds of dead and alive animals are sold. As coronavirus is found in animals; it was highly likely for the virus to travel from the animals to human beings in that market. Moreover, it is very difficult to meet the hygiene standards at such a place so the pandemic erupted. The original host of the virus is recognized as bats but it is not directly transferred from bats to human beings. There are speculations that Pangolin or chickens have worked as a mid agent in the transfer of this virus from bats to humans.
Once such pandemic commences; it becomes very difficult to control it. We have witnessed the spread of Covid-19 in no time. What started from Wuhan has now reached all continents of the world. The colossal sufferings have been seen by China but this virus is growing rapidly.
Covid-19 Mutated in Two Strains:
The contemporary coronavirus mutated in two strains. One is considered as more aggressive and deadlier than the other. One is named as S-type while the other is known as L-type. The L-type is aggressive and is responsible for almost 70% of all corona cases. The first transferred virus belonged to the S-type that is why this virus did not erupt with the pace as it is now spreading. The S-type was slow to spread and put lesser danger to human lives.
