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How it all started
After the first covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan in December 2019, where the Chinese authorities confirmed 41 cases detected between December 8 and January 2, 2020, 34 the city stopped reporting cases until January 19, when 17 more cases were confirmed. By then, the first cases of covid-19 had already been reported outside of China: two in Thailand and one in Japan. -
Disease spread
The rapid spread of the disease prompted the World Health Organization, on January 30, 2020, to declare it a health emergency of international concern, based on the impact the virus could have on underdeveloped countries with fewer health infrastructures. By that date, the disease had been detected in all provinces of mainland China, 50 and cases were reported in 15 other countries. On March 11 the disease was already in more than 100 territories worldwide, and was recognized as a pandemic. -
Treatment
Three vaccination strategies are being investigated. First, the researchers aim to build a complete virus vaccine. The use of said virus, either inactive or dead, is aimed at a prompt immune response by the human body to a new infection with COVID-19. A second strategy, subunit vaccines, aims to create a vaccine that sensitizes the immune system to certain virus subunits. A third strategy is nucleic acid vaccines. Any of these strategies would have to be tested for safety and efficacy. -
Symptoms
Infected people may be asymptomatic or have a process of symptoms ranging from mild to very severe, including fever, dyspnea, and dry cough. Diarrhea and other symptoms of rhinopharynx, such as sneezing, runny nose, and sore throat, are fewer Although older people are more vulnerable to the disease, in mid-March 2020, the WHO recalled that young people can also have complications and even die from the virus. -
Virus detection
On January 5, 2020, a team from the Clinical Center of Public Health of Shanghai managed to sequence the RNA of the new virus. This achievement was kept secret until, six days later, researchers leaked it to various websites. This act allowed the international community to start developing tests and vaccines for the virus, and those responsible were punished with the closure of their laboratory. -
Prevention
To reduce the chances of becoming infected, healthcare organizations recommend avoiding close contact with sick people; Wash hands frequently with soap and water; do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands without washing; and practice good respiratory hygiene. People who are already infected are encouraged to stay home, except for medical care, to call ahead of time before visiting a health care provider.
