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8 Things You Should Know About the 2019 Novel Coronavirus

RKMD Blog 5 years ago

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) was identified as the cause of an outbreak in November 2019, originating in Wuhan, China.   The first cases suggested a link to seafood and meat markets, linking an animal-to-person rate of contraction and origination.  

It is very rare for a virus to spread from animal to human contact, which earns the designation of ‘novel’ for this recent outbreak. Not only is the contraction origin rare, but the rate at which the virus spreads has global health organizations tracking its progress and applying interventions including quarantine, to protect populations.  

They symptoms of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus include: 

  • Shortness of breath 
  • Fever (not always present in patient cases) 
  • Cough 
  • Evidence of a pneumonia like chest infection 
  • Gastrointestinal upset and inflammatory symptoms 

The incubation time for contraction of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus ranges between 2-14 days. What is uncommon about the 2019 strain, compared to known types including 229E, NL63, OC43 and HKU1 (which are mild to moderate upper-respiratory tract infections) is the severity and fatality rate.   

Typically, seniors, young children and individuals who are immuno-compromised are most at risk of the most severe complications after viral infections; 2019 Novel Coronavirus has also caused fatalities in healthy and young populations. It can cause lower respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.  

The international health community is taking measures to respond to an outbreak similar to the SARS epidemic that occurred between 2001 and 2003 in China, the United States and Canada, and the 2012-2013 outbreak that occurred in the Middle East.  Many countries are restricting travel for business and vacationers to and from China. 

We’d like to share some important facts about the Coronavirus, and how to take preventative measures to reduce your risk of infection.   Please share this infographic with family and friends, to help keep everyone healthy through this cold and influenza season.  For daily updated information about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus outbreak, bookmark this page from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. During the restrictions & stay at home orders you might get cabin fever we’ve compiled things to do while being confined.

 

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