The effect that the coronavirus has made in the U.S. is minimal, in comparison to how it’s affecting the population of China. As this coronavirus makes its landing in the United States, the fear of it coming to Chapel Hill heightens.
As of March 1, over 80,000 people in China have been infected, with over 90,000 infected worldwide. Additionally, there have been over 3,000 deaths. International guidelines have advised the World Health Organization, WHO, to find a name besides Wuhan Coronavirus as to avoid stigma that was forming around it. It’s been renamed COVID-19.
March 3 reports also announced the ninth coronavirus death in the U.S., all in Washington state. Five of the victims were nursing home residents outside of Seattle. Researchers in the United States are currently working on a vaccine for the virus.
Patients are scheduled to 14-day quarantines according to a press release. Quarantine has become especially prevalent in the U.S. as the confirmed cases have grown.
There is one confirmed case of COVID-19 in North Carolina as of March 3. The patient, a resident in Wake County, is quarantined to their home. Hospitals and communities in our state are continuing to take preventative measures.
According to global information provider IHS Markit, “Coronavirus will have a larger negative effect on the global economy than the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak in 2003.”
Although WHO has declared the coronavirus outbreak to be a public emergency as of Jan. 30, it doesn’t mean that the general population should ignore the flu. In the U.S., the risk of catching the flu is still greater, but that doesn’t mean one shouldn’t prepare for COVID-19.
“This coronavirus is not nearly as deadly as the common flu. But I think since there have been relatively small numbers of this infection, we don’t yet have a firm idea about that,” said Robert Rich, author of “Clinical Immunology: Principles and Practice.”
Coronavirus is a family of viruses that can range from minor flu-like symptoms to fatal diseases, such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome and SARS.
Only certain coronaviruses are able to infect people, COVID-19 being a notable example. There is still no known reason as to why some coronaviruses infect people and not animals, making this outbreak even more of an enigma.
Usual flu protocol should be followed. This includes washing hands and covering mouth and nose while sneezing. Thus far, older people are at the highest risk of developing more severe diseases from this coronavirus.
