Coronavirus Covid-19 has spread to six continents — only Antarctica is currently free of infections — and has triggered more than 108,000 cases of respiratory illness, of which nearly 3,800 have been fatal. The spread of the disease, which first emerged in Hubei province in central China at the beginning of 2020, has also triggered widespread financial alarm over the past weeks, with stock markets suffering their worst week since the global financial crisis of 2008.
Covid-19 is now an epidemic in many parts of the globe and is destined to have a major impact on the health of the planet. Here we answer some key questions about the disease and its likely effects.
Most doctors had been expecting the next major viral outbreak to involve a strain of flu. In what ways does Covid-19 differ from the influenza virus?
Both Covid-19 and influenza are respiratory illnesses and are spread by exhaled droplets which can survive in the air and on surfaces for short times. However, this strain of the coronavirus produces a fever and a dry cough but does not trigger runny noses or sneezing, as commonly occurs with flu.
So what is the best protection against picking up the virus? In particular, how useful are face masks?
Doctors say that there is little evidence that masks protect wearers from infection. Instead they recommend that people wash their hands regularly, clean work surfaces and door handles, and try to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth.
What plans have been prepared to contain a possible epidemic of Covid-19?
A major fear is that rapidly growing numbers of infected individuals could overwhelm hospitals and general practitioners’ surgeries as the virus spreads and people become increasingly worried that they may be infected. Care of individuals in hospitals with other serious conditions could be affected. As a result, plans have been set up to “engineer the epidemic” by quarantining cases and attempting to limit the numbers of infected people coming into contact with uninfected individuals. This would slow down the disease’s spread. Cases of Covid-19 would then appear over a longer period of time and would not abruptly trigger chaos at hospitals.
When might we expect a vaccine to be ready?
Researchers have already begun work on a vaccine, but few believe one will be ready for at least another year.
Will it be possible to eradicate Covid-19, or could it reappear regularly in future?
The World Health Organization and the Chinese government both say it will be possible to eradicate the virus. Not every scientist agrees, however. “I would not be surprised if we now have a virus that we will have to deal with forever,” says Prof Mark Woolhouse of Edinburgh University. “However, in such cases the first major outbreak is always the worst one. After that it should settle down and become part of a regular repertoire of winter viruses, I would imagine.”
Is it possible the warmer weather may bring relief?
Some observers have pointed to the fact that Africa has relatively few cases of Covid-19 and that this may be a response to hotter conditions there. The virus cannot take the heat, in other words.
Most scientists counsel caution, however. “The disease has only just arrived in Africa and it is far too early to tell how it will behave there,” says Woolhouse. “We will just have to wait and see.”
What are your chances of surviving if you become infected?
Most figures suggest that around 1% to 2% of people will die after being infected with Covid-19, though that figure could decline as more and more cases in a region are recognised. Scientists are also clear about those who are most at risk from Covid-19: at the moment, it appears that the elderly are most at risk.
CORONAVIRUS: What to know, what to do
What exactly is coronavirus?
Covid-19 is a newly identified airborne virus in the corona viral family, but it is more severe and spreads easily. Diagnosis is difficult because it shares several symptoms with influenza.
How is Covid-19 transmitted?
Covid-19 is thought to spread similarly to influenza. That is, it spreads person to person through respiratory droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby — typically within 6 feet — or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Can I catch Covid-19 from contact with an object rather than a person?
Yes, you can catch Covid-19 from an object if the surface of that object has live virus on it. How long the virus can live outside an organism is unknown. Expert estimates range from a few hours to up to nine days, depending on the type of surface, surrounding temperature and environment.
Can a person have Covid-19 without having symptoms?
Yes.
Is there a vaccine for Covid-19?
There is currently no vaccine for Covid-19. The National Institutes of Health is developing a vaccine, but it will not be ready and approved for use for at least a year or more.
What should I do if I have symptoms of Covid-19?
If you have symptoms of Covid-19, call your local health care provider or hospital, and ask how best to be evaluated.
How is a patient treated for Covid-19?
The basic premise of preventing disease transmission is to identify patients who show symptoms, isolate those patients from others for appropriate assessment, and inform appropriate staff and authorities for further response. If people appear with symptoms, they will be asked to wear a mask and answer a series of questions about their health and travel. Based on their answers and vital signs, they will be isolated from other patients while Covid-19 test results can be verified. This may take several days.
Patients who test positive for Covid-19 are isolated and treated. Currently, there is no antiviral treatment for Covid-19. Specific interventions are taken in more severe cases, or with patients with compromised immune systems or complex illnesses.
What can I do to avoid Covid-19?
To avoid Covid-19, you should:
Keep your hands clean.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Cover your cough and sneezes to keep germs from spreading to others.
Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces routinely.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Should I wear a face mask?
Regarding whether you should wear a face mask, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides this guidance:
CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including Covid-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have Covid-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of facemasks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with Covid-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility). — Mayo Clinic News Network
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