What you should know about Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
What is the “Coronavirus?”
“Coronavirus” is an umbrella term for a class of viruses that include many of the common cold viruses. This specific virus is now referred to as SARS-CoV-2 and the disease is called COVID-19.
Is it deadly?
As of March 4, the worldwide mortality rate is approximately 3.4% according to WHO. It can reach up to 21.9% for those over 80 years old. The mortality rate may be revised to a lower number as recent reports suggest that most COVID-19 infections are milder than what was initially reported.
How does the virus spread?
The virus is spread from person to person by droplets when speaking, sneezing and coughing. This is the same method of transmission as the flu and the common cold. It may also spread by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching one’s face.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. If you have these symptoms, call your provider. Many other viruses and some bacteria can cause these symptoms as well. If you have had contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, let your provider know over the phone.
Who is most at risk?
People with decreased immune systems such as older adults, and people with chronic diseases such diabetes, cancer and COPD are at higher risk.
While children tend to have less severe disease if they get it, they tend to transmit it more because they are not as careful with precautions.
While your chances of dying from COVID-19 are low, your chances of transmitting it is high. If you are asked to stay home or if schools are closed, it is to protect the more vulnerable members in our community.
What can I do?
Staying home: The number one thing you can do is to stay home when you are sick. The less face to face interaction you have the lower the chances of spreading the virus.
Wash your hands: Washing hands frequently, especially after being in public is a good way to lessen the spread of many infections.
Avoid shaking hands.
Avoid crowded areas even when you feel well.
Avoid touching your face.
What does not help?
Using masks: The masks that you find in doctors offices are “breathable” and allow viruses to pass through. This will not stop you from getting sick.
Rushing out to get a flu shot: The flu shot will not protect against COVID-19, as it is a completely different virus. Getting the flu shot every year is a great idea. It will protect against the flu, but it does not protect against COVID-19.
Panicking: As it stands currently, you are more likely to get the flu than COVID-19.
What are we doing at Avanta Clinic?
For people with suspected symptoms, we are taking a thorough travel history to identify those at risk. As of today, we have not seen anyone with suspected COVID-19.
What are we doing personally to protect ourselves?
Robin and I are not doing anything differently than for normal cold and flu season. We wash our hands frequently, avoid touching our faces, and try to get our toddler to cough into his arm. We are avoiding large crowded areas if at all possible, but we do our grocery shopping and take our son to the library as usual. Our son is still going to daycare, and we are still getting together with friends and family over the weekends. Last week we took our toddler to Hibachi for the first time.
Please note that there is a lot of bad information online. Please refer to this CDC and WHO for accurate, up to date information.