The Covid-19 Appeared in the heart of China virus is now developing in Europe. This epidemic is causing a great deal of concern among the population.
With the growing number of cases and deaths toll, the coronavirus epidemic is causing a great deal of concern.
What are the symptoms?
Covid-19 is mainly characterized by breathing difficulties that can develop into pneumonia, a dry cough, and fever. These are systemic symptoms, which are found in all affected patients. But in some cases, other symptoms may appear, such as muscle fatigue, sore throat, or diarrhea.
What is the case-fatality rate?
According to the latest accurate count carried out by the Chinese authorities in mid-February, out of 44,672 cases of infected people, 1,023 died. That’s a case-fatality rate of 2.3%. But this figure drops to 1.3% for people aged between 10 and 70. It then jumps to 8% for those aged 70-79 and 14.8% for those over 80.
By way of comparison, Covid-19 is much less lethal than the 2002 SRAS, which had a lethality rate of 13 percent, or the Ebola virus (25 percent). On the other hand, it is more virulent than seasonal influenza, whose lethality rate in France varies between 0.1 and 0.3%.
A more contagious virus than the average?
Concerning contagion, i.e., the ability of the virus to infect as many people as possible, doctors estimate that a Covid-19 patient will infect between two and three other people in the absence of precautionary measures, a rate of contagion comparable to the Sras of 2002 (3 people) and slightly higher than seasonal influenza (1.3 people). It should be noted that, as with most viruses, the person carrying it becomes contagious even before the first symptoms appear.
How does the virus spread?
The coronavirus is transmitted mainly through the respiratory tract, i.e., through droplets or sputters of saliva. It is also possible to catch the virus by touching an infected object or surface and then putting your hands on a sensitive area (mouth, nose, eyes, etc.). Note that the virus can survive up to three hours outside an organism, or even longer in a humid environment.
Who are the infected people?
The precise counting of more than 40,000 cases by the Chinese authorities has also made it possible to define the typical profile of the patients better. While the virus affects both women and men, men account for more than 63% of recorded deaths. Above all, the scientists found that younger people were largely spared. Only 2% of confirmed cases in China involved patients under the age of 20.
What are the recommendations to avoid contamination?
Since Covid-19 is spread mainly through saliva, it is advisable to avoid physical contact and not to interact with a sick person within a distance of one meter. Also, wash your hands very regularly and thoroughly with soap or a hydroalcoholic solution to avoid any risk of contamination via an infected surface or object. In case of fever, cough, and breathing difficulties, the WHO advises calling your doctor for possible consultation.