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COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019)

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Please add those who have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

If the person has done something that would be considered "heroic" see: Heroes of the COVID-19 Pandemic and add them to that project also.

The novel coronavirus, now called SARS-CoV-2, causes the disease COVID-19. The virus was first identified in Wuhan, China, on Dec. 31, 2019, though it seems to have been spreading well before that date. Since then, it has spread to every continent except Antarctica. The death rate appears to be higher than that of the seasonal flu, but it also varies by location as well as a person's age, underlying health conditions, among other factors. (Live Science – Is there a cure for the new coronavirus? By: Stephanie Pappas. Updated 14 Mar 2020)

This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide updated information as it becomes available, in addition to updated guidance. An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread throughout China and to 31 other countries and territories, including the United States.

CDC is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected in almost 70 locations internationally, including in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats.

The complete clinical picture with regard to COVID-19 is not fully understood. Reported illnesses have ranged from mild to severe, including illness resulting in death.

Variants

  1. Delta: originated in India
  2. Omicron (B.1.1.529): originated in South Africa

How COVID-19 Spreads

  • Person-to-person spread
    • The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
      • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
      • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
      • These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
    • People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).
    • Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
  • Spread from contact with infected surfaces or objects
    • It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Who is at risk?

While we are still learning about how COVID-2019 affects people, older persons and persons with pre-existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease, cancer or diabetes) appear to develop serious illness more often than others.

Symptoms

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

Prevention & Treatment

See: CDC

  • There is currently (3/2020) no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
  • See above site for treatment.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
    • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
    • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
    • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Medical Daily - Disinfectants Approved to Kill Coronavirus Revealed (3/9/20)
    • As such, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) then promptly released a list of disinfectant products that are now confirmed to be effective in killing the virus on surfaces. The list includes multiple products from Lysol and Clorox, with some including Clorox toilet cleanser with bleach, Clorox disinfecting spray, Lysol disinfectant max cover mist, Lysol toilet bowl cleaners and, lastly, the multi-surface cleaner and disinfecting spray of the same name brand.

Mortality, Morbidity & Statistics

  • While coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread globally, overall mortality seems to match that of pandemic flu. In the largest case series to date of COVID-19 in mainland China (72,314 cases through February 11, 2020), the China CDC provided detailed epidemic curves and placed the current outbreak in the context of SARS and MERS-CoV patterns or illness and transmission.
  • Japan's health ministry today reported 2 new illnesses, both in people evacuated from Wuhan, raising the country's total to 25.
  • Singapore's health ministry reported 2 more cases, both of them locally acquired, raising the country's total to 47. One had worked at a casino and the other is a Bangladeshi citizen who had worked at the same location as an earlier case.
  • Vietnam's health ministry reported its 15th case, apparently a local infection involving a 3-month-old baby who is the grandchild of a patient whose illness was confirmed 2 days ago.
  • The WHO said it received reports of 76 more COVID-19 cases outside of China yesterday (2/10/20) , raising the total to 395 in 24 countries.
  • As of March 2020, there were more than 3,000 deaths linked to COVID-19, far exceeding deaths from SARS, which killed 774 individuals worldwide, according to The New York Times.
  • From: Live Science – Coronavirus cases top 100,000: Live updates on COVID-19 -- Coronavirus cases outside mainland China (current 3/6/2020)
    • There are now at least 128 confirmed cases in the U.S, with 31 of those in Washington state, which also has the first related deaths (nine).
    • Italy's government announced Wednesday all schools and universities in the country will be closed from March 5 to March 15, as the country now has more than 3,089 cases and 107 deaths linked to the coronavirus, CNBC reported.
    • Cases of coronavirus in South Korea skyrocketed to 6,593, where about 60% of the cases are somehow linked to members of a secret religious sect.
    • 3,411 deaths have been linked to the virus. Deaths worldwide exceed those from SARS. And 55,753 individuals have recovered from COVID-19.
    • It has reached every continent except Antarctica. Outside mainland China, 233 deaths have been linked to the virus: in the U.S., Italy, Taiwan, Thailand, Australia, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Iran, France, Iraq, San Marino, Spain and six Diamond Princess passengers.
    • Here's a look at the number of cases in some places outside mainland China where the count is relatively high, according to a Johns Hopkins dashboard:
      • South Korea: 6,593
      • Italy: 3,858
      • Iran: 4,747
      • Others: 696
      • Japan: 381
      • Germany: 579
      • Spain: 360
      • Singapore: 130
      • France: 577
      • Hong Kong: 106
      • U.S.: 234
      • Switzerland: 214
      • UK: 163
  • About Hungary – Coronavirus: Here’s the Latest
    • To date (11 March 2020), 13 coronavirus infections have been recorded in Hungary, including 8 Iranian, 1 British and 4 Hungarian citizens. No infectious nucleus developed, all contact persons (69 persons) in contact with the infectious agent were transported to quarantine. The Hungarian government has today ordered a "state of emergency", which means it has refused entry from heavily infected countries. Hungarian citizens can travel home from infected countries, but they must stay in their quarters for 14 days. Compliance with the instruction shall be verified by the authority. It is forbidden to hold events in the open space with 100 participants or in the open space with more than 500 participants. Universities are closed, students get education online from home!
  • South Africa - As of 15 March 2020, there have been 13 newly imported COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of positive COVID-19 cases to 51. While we continue to see an increase in COVID-19 positive cases in South Africa, there is currently no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 is circulating in South Africa’s population; however, the status of COVID-19 transmission is increasingly likely to shift based on trends found in other parts of the world. We call on all South Africans to continue to follow COVID-19 preventive measures such as meticulous hand hygiene and cough etiquette. National Institute for Communicable Diseases = COVID-19 Update, 15 Mar 2020
  • From: The BMJ- On the front lines of coronavirus: The Italian response to Covid-19. By Marta Paterlini. Published 16 Mar 2020
    • Italy has rapidly become the country hit second hardest in the world by the coronavirus pandemic. The resulting government imposed state of emergency lockdown, which started in northern Italy and has expanded to the whole country, will last until at least 3 April in an attempt to contain a contagion that has, at the time of writing, infected over 24 747 people (including at least 2026 healthcare staff) and killed 1809.
    • At the time of writing, official data from the Istituto Superiore di Sanita,4 the leading scientific technical body of the Italian National Health Service, show that the clinical status of 2539 cases is known, of which 25% are labelled critical or severe, 30% have mild symptoms, and 10% are asymptomatic (the rest are either pauci-symptomatic or the severity level is not specified). Currently, 21% of cases have been admitted to hospital, and 1545 patients are in intensive care. The median age of those in intensive care is 69 (age 51-70: 46%; age >70: 44%), with no cases under the age of 18. However, a significant percentage of patients are under 30, which confirms how crucial this age group is in transmitting the virus.
  • The WHO is now working closely with global experts, governments and partners to rapidly expand scientific knowledge on this new virus, to track the spread and virulence of the virus, and to provide advice to countries and individuals on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak. Cochrane – Special Collection: Coronavirus (COVID-19): evidence relevant to critical care
  • WHO -COVID-19 situation in the WHO European Region, updated 19 Mar 2020
    • 53 Countries & 5 Territories with confirmed cases listed. Confirmed deaths also included for each.

Notables

COVID- 19 “Essential Workers”

From: Crane Network News & Updates – These are the workers the US Government deems “Essential” amid the Coronavirus Pandemic. 2 Apr 2020

  • 1. Health care and public health workers -- Hospital and laboratory personnel, caregivers, mental health workers, doctors, nurses, researchers, pharmacists, dentists, social workers, technicians, as well as funeral home and cemetery workers.
  • 2. Law enforcement, public safety, and first responders-- Emergency management personnel, including police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians. The list also includes 911 call center workers and those who oversee emergency service operations.
  • 3. Food and agriculture workers-- Food and agriculture workers include those who work in grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants (including delivery drivers), company cafeterias, animal agriculture workers, and the food and beverage industries. Farmers, food processing workers, warehouse workers, and food truck delivery drivers are also on the list.
  • 4. Energy employees -- This category includes utilities, telecommunications staffers, natural gas/propane workers, the electricity industry, engineers, cybersecurity/risk management staff, and environmental remediation.
  • 5. Water and wastewater-- Employees needed to operate and maintain drinking water and wastewater/drainage infrastructure.
  • 6. Transportation and logistics-- This includes mass transit workers, auto repair and maintenance workers, trash collectors, postal and shipping workers, air traffic controllers, air transportation employees, dispatchers, maintenance and repair technicians, warehouse workers, truck stop and rest area workers, and workers who maintain and inspect infrastructure.
  • 7. Public works-- Public works employees who operate, inspect and maintain dams, locks, levees, and bridges. This also includes workers who oversee sewer main breaks, traffic signals and buried/underground utilities.
  • 8. Communications and information technology-- Technicians, operators, call centers, wireline and wireless providers, cable service providers, satellite operations, and manufacturers and distributors of communications equipment. Workers who support radio, television, and media service, including news reporters, studio, and technicians for news gathering and reporting, are also included in this category, as well as data center operators, HVAC and electrical engineers, security personnel, IT managers, software and hardware engineers, and database administrators.
  • 9. Other community-based government operations and essential functions -- Elections personnel, building employees, security staff, trade officials, weather forecasters, customs workers, and educators.
  • 10. Critical manufacturing -- Workers necessary for the manufacturing of materials and products needed for medical supply chains, transportation, energy, communications, food and agriculture, chemical manufacturing, nuclear facilities, the operation of dams, water and wastewater treatment, emergency services, and the defense industrial base.
  • 11. Hazardous materials -- Workers at nuclear facilities, workers managing medical waste, workers managing waste from pharmaceuticals and medical material production, and workers at laboratories processing test kits.
  • 12. Financial services -- Bank employees and other financial/lending institutions, as well as those needed to keep ATM services available to consumers.
  • 13. Chemical workers -- Workers supporting the chemical and industrial gas supply chains, including workers at chemical manufacturing plants, workers in laboratories, workers at distribution facilities, workers who transport basic raw chemical materials to the producers of industrial and consumer goods, including hand sanitizers, food and food additives, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and paper products.
  • 14. Defense industrial base -- Workers who support the essential services required to meet national security commitments to the federal government and U.S. military. These individuals, include but are not limited to aerospace; mechanical and software engineers, manufacturing/production workers; IT support; security staff; security personnel; intelligence support, aircraft and weapon systems mechanics and maintainers. Personnel working for companies, and their subcontractors, who perform under contract to the Department of Defense providing materials and services to the Department of Defense, as well as government-owned/contractor-operated and government-owned/government-operated facilities.

Deaths

Resources & Additional Reading: