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| Relation between Covid-19 and global health system | | | Dr. Rajkumar Singh | 4/17/2020 10:46:13 PM |
| Coronavirus first originated in China in December last year, but has spread to more than 200 countries and infected over 20 lakh people. It has also led to the death of more than 1,50, 000 people. The disease caused by coronavirus, is known to kill between 3-4 per cent of those it infects. Although, it is not very fatal, but it is very infectious. Since it enters once inside the body, the virus uses a spike-like protein to bind with a receptor called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) found on the respiratory cells, entering it and replicating to spread the infection within , infects more people, a large number die. In terms of infectivity, it is almost up there with the most infectious measles and chicken pox. Even doctors fail to understand the reason for it right now, but they claim that it moves from the respiratory system to gastro-intestinal tract, to the blood, leading to multi-organ failure and death. Although the virus is around 70 per cent similar to the one that caused Sars in 2003, it is not a very good similarity. This virus is closer to bat coronavirus. As the virus keeps multiplying it reaches the lungs, causing inflammation in the alveoli or lung sacs filling them fluid and pus causing pneumonia. The inflamed lungs make it difficult for the person to breathe leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome. With COVID-19 becoming a global health threat and the novel coronavirus spreading to every continent except Antarctica.
Common symptoms of Covid-19
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, or diarrhea that are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people who are infected do not develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell, while around 80 percent of people recover from the disease without needing special treatment, however, around 1 out of every 6 people who get COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develop difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems, or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness and about 2 percent of people with the disease have died. Clinical management guidelines currently recommend a patient be discharged from the hospital after two consecutive negative results at least 24 hours apart. Currently, there is a period of about 20 days between the onset of symptoms and full recovery.
Covid-19 in global perspective
It is also inaccurate to compare COVID-19 to the annual influenza virus because it is a "unique virus with unique characteristics." Both COVID-19 and influenza cause respiratory disease and spread the same way, via small droplets of fluid from the nose and mouth of someone who is sick, but there are important differences between the two.. With influenza, people who are infected but not yet sick are major drivers of transmission, which does not appear to be the case for COVID-19. Furthermore, there is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19 - though there are about 20 in development globally and 80 clinical trials set to launch - and there is little immunity in the world population given the novelty of the virus. In terms of attack rates most of the news have been published by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. A recent paper shows that there are varying levels of attack rates by age, mostly lower rates in children, but it is still quite early to know for sure. Higher contraction rates are seen in adults, with transmission being driven by close contacts between families. This is why the WHO has declared COVID-19 a "public health emergency of international concern" - the organization's highest level of alarm - but contends that it "no longer uses the system of six pandemic influenza phases.
Wide spread and universal precautions
It has spread to over 200 countries and there is community spread in the US, it is a pandemic already - the difference is the scale and scope. Over 450 public health and legal experts signed a public letter to the US government declaring that widespread transmission of COVID-19 within the country is "inevitable" and a successful response is needed to ensure the health and safety of the general public. At the juncture, the leaders should first shift resources toward healthcare facilities so that medical professionals are fully equipped to handle surges in patient care. Communities also need to prepare for telecommuting options wherever possible and to put measures into place to support sick leave for workers who do not have paid-time-off, as well as lift immigration enforcement so that everyone may receive healthcare. There is a need to put the immigration debate on hold till we all are dealing with this public health crisis. It is also essential to make sure the messaging about this is based on evidence and not fear and paranoia. It is important to let scientists lead the discussion and put them out front, as well as to make sure any misinformation is quickly corrected. In the circumstances, the best protection against COVID-19 are non-pharmaceutical interventions, preventative steps such as washing hands thoroughly, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, disinfecting surfaces around the home and workspace, and avoiding contact with people who are known to be sick. People with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention and stay home.
About the disease countless rumours and misinformation are spreading across social media platforms how to dispose of the body of a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19. To prevent this, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India has issued many guidelines for its citizens. The main driver of transmission of COVID-19 is through droplets. There is unlikely to be an increased risk of COVID infection from a dead body to health workers or family members who follow standard precautions while handling body. According to the Covid-19 dead body management guidelines, the released documents is limited in scope to hospital deaths. Here are some standard precautions to be followed while handling COVID dead bodies following the guidelines. are some standard precautions to be followed by health care workers while handling dead bodies of COVID as per the directions of the ministry guidelines. All staff identified to handle dead bodies in the isolation area, mortuary, ambulance and those workers in the crematorium/burial ground should be trained in the infection prevention control practices. |
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