What is COVID-19? 

Otherwise known as SARS CoV-2, or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, because it’s genetically similar to the SARS coronavirus which was responsible for the SARS outbreak in 2002. COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

Etiology of COVID-19:

• ·       The first described coronavirus was isolated from chickens in 1937 
• ·       Human coronaviruses were first identified in the mid-1960s 
• ·       Coronaviruses belong to the Coronaviridae family, which is a family of enveloped, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus (total length 30 kb)

The membranes of the COVID-19 virus contains at least four viral proteins: 

• ·       The structural S-protein can specifically bind to the receptor of the host cell, and this is the key protein for viruses to invade susceptible cells
• ·       The envelope protein (E protein)
• The M & E proteins are involved in the formation of the virus envelope
• ·       The membrane (M protein)
• ·       The nucleocapsid protein (N protein) which is involved in the assembly of the virus
• ·       SARS-CoV-2 is a novel coronavirus of the β genus; it is round or oval, with a diameter of approximately 60–140 nm and a crown-shaped appearance under an electron microscopy

How does COVID-19 spread?

• ·      First merged from an animal source
• ·      Now spreading from person to person
• ·      Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes and are within close contact (6 feet) with one another person
• ·      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  

Symptoms of COVID-19:  

Fever

Cough 

Shortness of Breath ---> Pneumonia, ARDS (Acute Raspatory Distress Syndrome), Shock

Treatment for COVID-19:

There is no vaccine or specific COVID-19 treatment at this time. Those with severe symptoms can seek medical care for symptom-based treatment or supportive care to help them breath.

Prevention from COVID-19:  

•  Stay home as much as you can
•  Keep a safe distance
•  Wash your hands often
•  Cover your cough
•  Stay home when you are sick
•  Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

Reference URL's: 

https://microbenotes.com/severe-acute-respiratory-syndrome-coronavirus-sars-cov/

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41423-020-0407-x

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncov-factsheet.pdf

Photo References URL’s:

https://www.economist.com/briefing/2020/03/12/understanding-sars-cov-2-and-the-drugs-that-might-lessen-its-power

https://northerntimes.nl/now-four-covid-19-coronavirus-infections-in-groningen/