COVER STORY |
A layman’s Guide to
COVID19
On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) upgraded the status of the COVID-19 outbreak from epidemic to pandemic. Coronaviruses are named for the crown-like spikes on their surface, there are many types of Coronaviruses that were first discovered in the 1960s different types of coronavirus circulate as the common cold and 30% upper respiratory tract infections. In the last 20 years, the world has seen 3 Coronaviruses outbreaks. The SARS in 2002, the MERS in 2012 and now the Covid 19 in 2019. The new coronavirus, now known as Covid-19, was first encountered in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, an infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death. The name Covid-19 was announced on 11 February 2020 by the World Health Organization. The director-general of the World Health Organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has quoted “We had to find a name that did not refer to a geographical location, an animal, an individual or group of people, and which is also pronounceable and related to the disease. Having a name matters to prevent the use of other names that can be inaccurate or stigmatizing.” - By Inas Inayath TULIP - APRIL, 2020 37
