COVID-19 – The Break of Cold Sweat
Coronavirus (COVID 19) is a pandemic disease that affects the respiratory system, causing symptoms ranging from common cold symptoms to respiratory issues. The virus affects humans of any age. It spreads through close contact with an infected person, through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes or by touching a surface of an object which is infected with the virus and touching your mouth, nose or possibly eyes.
The virus was first detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019 but presently infections have been confirmed in at least 164 countries and territories, according to the World Health Organization. As of 17th March, 2020, globally confirmed cases have reached 182,424 of which 79,433 have recovered, with 7,155 reported deaths. However, in Ghana 16 cases have been confirmed as of 20th March. 2020 after the first two cases were confirmed on 12th March, 2020. There have been 2 recorded recoveries but no death cases so far. All of the cases are imported cases of which victims traveled into the country from Norway, Turkey, France, the UK, and UAE.
This pandemic has caused panic and fear among both young and old informing governments of many countries to take drastic measures to prevent the spread of the disease. Many citizens in different countries have been self-quarantined. Schools, sporting events, and many public gatherings have been suspended until at least early April in many countries including Ghana.
The world’s economy has been seriously affected but most importantly, the hospitality of the various regions of the world and its people has been damaged.
Health officials strongly advise frequent washing of hands with soap and water, usage of hand sanitizers, as well as social distancing. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that social distancing is not enough for countries to prevent the spreading of the virus. Testing, isolation, and contact tracing are crucial to extinguish this pandemic.
Sources https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf , https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/03/test-test-test-who-says-as-us-flounders-with-covid-19-response/ , http://www.ghanahealthservice.org/covid19/
