COVID 19

Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disease Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Virus strain Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Source Probably via bats, possibly via pangolins. Location Worldwide First Wuhan, China outbreak Arrival date Between 6 October 2019 and 11 December 2019 Date 1 December 2019 – present (10 months, 1 week and 2 days) Confirmed 36,886,080[ cases Active cases 10,153,563 (28.1% of confirmed cases as of 24 September) Suspected Around 780 million (WHO estimated cases‡ in early October 2020) Recovered 25,664,292 Deaths 1,068,22

ACKNOWLEGEMENTS I would like to take this opportunity to thank my Biology teacher, Beena ma’am, for guiding me in my project, for providing valuable suggestions, for her ongoing support during the project, from initial advice, and provision of contacts in the first stages through ongoing advice and encouragement, which led to the final report of this project. I am also grateful to my parents who have helped me with the project and gave practical insight. A special acknowledgement goes to my friends who helped me in completing the project by exchanging interesting ideas and sharing their experience.

CONTENT • What is CORONAVIRUS? • What are then SYMPTOMS? • How can I PROTECT MYSELF from the disease? • How long does the Viral live on SURFACES? • COVID 19 Testing

WHAT IS CORONOVIRUS? Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease COVID-19. WHAT IS COVID-19? COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. COVID-19 is now a pandemic affecting many countries globally. HOW DOES COVID-19 SPREAD? - Novel Coronavirus strains are spread from person to person through contaminated droplets from a person who is sick with the illness (through coughing or sneezing) or contaminated hands. - The virus can spread through touching an infected surface. - People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. VIROLOGY Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus. It was first isolated from three people with pneumonia connected to the cluster of acute respiratory illness cases in Wuhan. All features of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus occur in related coronaviruses in nature. Outside the human body, the virus is destroyed by household soap, which bursts its protective bubble. SARS-CoV-2 is closely related to the original SARS-CoV. It is Illustration of thought to have an animal (zoonotic) origin. Genetic analysis SARSr-CoV virion has revealed that the coronavirus genetically clusters with the genus Beta coronavirus, in subgenus Sarbecovirus (lineage B) together with two bat-derived strains. It is 96% identical at the whole genome level to other bat coronavirus samples (BatCov RaTG13)

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COIVD-19? COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Most infected people will develop mild to moderate illness and recover without hospitalization. Most common symptoms: • fever. • dry cough. • tiredness. Less common symptoms: • aches and pains. • sore throat. • diarrhea. • conjunctivitis. • headache. • loss of taste or smell. • a rash on skin, or discoloration of fingers or toes. Serious symptoms: • difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. • chest pain or pressure. • loss of speech or movement. On average it takes 5–6 days from when someone is infected with the virus for symptoms to show, however it can take up to 14 days. Some people are infected with the virus but do not develop noticeable symptoms at any point in time. These asymptomatic carriers tend not to get tested, and they can spread the disease. Other infected people will develop symptoms later (called pre- symptomatic) or have very mild symptoms, and can also spread the virus

HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF FROM THE DISEASE? Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. Most countries around the world have seen cases of COVID-19 and many are experiencing outbreaks. Authorities in China and some other countries have succeeded in slowing their outbreaks. However, the situation is unpredictable so check regularly for the latest news. You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking some simple precautions: • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them with alcohol- based hand rub. • Maintain at least 1-meter distance between you and people coughing or sneezing. • Avoid touching your face. • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. • Stay home if you feel unwell. • Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs. • Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and staying away from large groups of people.

HOW LONG DOES THE VIRUS SURVIVE ON SURFACES? The most important thing to know about coronavirus on surfaces is that they can easily be cleaned with common household disinfectants that will kill the virus. Studies have shown that the COVID-19 virus can survive for up to 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel, less than 4 hours on copper and less than 24 hours on cardboard. As, always clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, or nose. UAE sterilization programme

COVID-19 testing involves analyzing samples to assess the current or past presence of SARS-CoV-2. The two main branches detect either the presence of the virus or of antibodies produced in response to infection. Tests for viral presence are used to diagnose individual cases and to allow public health authorities to trace and contain outbreaks. Antibody tests instead show whether someone once had the disease. They are less useful for diagnosing current infections because antibodies may not develop for weeks after infection. It is used to assess disease prevalence, which aids the estimation of the infection fatality rate. Demonstration of a nasopharyngeal Demonstration of a throat A PCR machine swab for COVID-19 testing swab for COVID-19 testing What actually happens during a COVID-19 nasal swab test? How does COVID-19 testing work? The person conducting the test will insert a long stick with a very soft brush on the end — kind of like a pipe cleaner — up your nose and twirl it around for a few seconds. The soft bristles will collect a sample of secretions there for analysis. The swab has to go pretty far back, because cells and fluids must be collected from along the entire passageway that connects the base of the nose to the back of the throat to get a really good specimen. PCR Test: The PCR test, which is short for Polymerase Chain Reaction, is currently the only type of test approved by the local and international health authorities to confirm the diagnosis of Covid-19 infection. The test is conducted through a nasal swab.

BIBLIOGRAPHY • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic • https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel- coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub • https://www.mohap.gov.ae/en/AwarenessCenter/Pages/C OVID-19.aspx