On March 11, the World Health Organization officially declared the novel coronavirus, a.k.a. COVID-19, a pandemic.
At the time of this writing, there are 254,653 confirmed cases and at least 10,415 have died from the flu-like illness that has spread through over 160 countries and territories around the world, per John Hopkins University’s Coronavirus Resource Center.
According to the World Health Organization, on Wednesday (March 18) alone, the COVID-19 death toll around the world was 786. On Thursday (March 19), global death toll from coronavirus-related cases reached 828 in one day.
Based on data from situation reports by JHU’s Center For Health Security, as of Thursday (March 19) the U.S. has a total of 9,415 COVID-19 confirmed cases – 150 of them have died.
China, where the virus was first identified, remains the country with the highest number of confirmed cases at 80,928, with 3,245 deaths from the virus. On Thursday (March 19), Italy surpassed China’s coronavirus-related death toll, with 3,405 deaths. The country also has the highest number of confirmed cases outside of China with 41,035 infected.
WHY WE SHOULD TAKE IT SERIOUSLY:
According to the Center for Disease Control, the U.S. is still currently in the initiation phase, with the confirmed COVID-19 cases a result of imported cases in travelers, cases among close contacts of a known case, and community-acquired cases. But the number of confirmed cases in the U.S. has seen an alarming rise in the past few days.
This week alone, Monday’s (March 16) report indicates 3,813 COVID-19 cases and 69 deaths. By Tuesday (March 17), the number of COVID-19 rose to 5,204 cases and 92 deaths. On Wednesday (March 18), it became 6,519 COVID-19 cases and 115 deaths. Thursday (March 19), it jumped to 9,415 COVID-19 cases and 150 deaths. Real-time data, however, puts it at 14,250 confirmed cases and 205 deaths at the time of writing.
“Older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease, or diabetes may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19,” Dr. Jay Butler, CDC’s Deputy Director for Infectious Diseases, says. Other people who may also be at higher risk are people with HIV, those with asthma, and pregnant women.
So far, there have been 87,351 recorded recoveries around the world (121 from the US), but there have also been reports that overcoming the illness once does NOT guarantee immunity from re-infection.
HOW IT SPREADS:
COVID-19 is a new disease and the CDC, as well as other medical experts and scientists around the world, are still learning how it spreads and the severity of the illness it can cause. The CDC has outlined how the virus spreads from person to person:
- Close contact with an infected person (within 6 feet)
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes
- Contact with contaminated surfaces/objects
- Community spread – where people in an area become infected with no clear source of how or where it happened.
*There have also been reports of transmission from an infected person who has not shown any symptoms.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO STOP IT FROM SPREADING?
The best way to prevent illness is to AVOID being exposed to the virus. Check out these guidelines to protect yourself and others from getting infected:
- Clean your hands often – by washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, if soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with AT LEAST 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
- Practice social distancing, especially avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid using public transportation – including ride-sharing and taxis.
- Take care of your health – boost your immune system.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily using diluted bleach (5 Tbps or 1/3 cup of bleach per gallon of water), alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol, or other EPA-registered household disinfectants.
*NOTE: Wear a facemask ONLY IF you are sick or caring for someone who is sick. Facemasks are already in short supply – please save them for caregivers.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE SICK:
Practice all of the above. STAY HOME, except to get medical care, but call ahead before visiting your doctor.
If you think you have been exposed to COVID19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, CALL YOUR DOCTOR OR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER – they will determine if you need to be tested.
Monitor your symptoms, and watch out for emergency warning signs for COVID-19, which include*:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
*NOTE: This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
IF YOU ARE VERY SICK, GET MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY.
In the meantime, isolate yourself from other family/household members – including, but not limited to, using a designated “sick room” and a separate bathroom if available, wearing a facemask, covering your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, and limiting contact with pets or animals. DO NOT share personal household items like dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding and wash them thoroughly after use.
For more details, please visit the CDC’s guide on steps to take to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick AND please FOLLOW guidelines put in place by your healthcare provider and local health department.
To see a list of all affected countries and the latest reports on the coronavirus pandemic, check out the JHU’s Coronavirus Resource Center and WHO’s Situation Reports.
We’re all in this together, so let’s do our part to #FlattenTheCurve. Above all, let’s #BeKind to one another during these uncertain times.
