Seven things to know about novel coronavirus-2019

Coronaviruses belong to a large family of viruses that can cause different illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). Coronaviruses are commonly distributed in other animals and sometimes got accidently transmitted to humans through several ways ultimately causing diseases related to lungs, intestine, kidney, liver, and brain. 

1. What nCoV-19 is?    
   The novel coronavirus-2019 (nCoV-19) is a new viral strain that had not been previously identified in humans. nCoV-19 is an RNA virus; which has enveloped of specific proteins to cover it. This virus can take up to 10 to 14 days to show mild symptoms and then severe serious nCoV-19-infected pneumonia (NCIP), along with affecting kidney and brain which leads to death ultimately.
2. nCoV-19 Outbreak  
   On December 31, 2019, first four cases of pneumonia-like illness were reported in local hospital based in Wuhan, Hebei, China. All cases were linked to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in South China. After the nCoV-19 outbreak, it started spreading with exponentially and affected thousands of peoples in China leading to lockdown of Wuhan city.
3. Diagnosis of nCoV-19-infected pneumonia (NCIP)         
   Specialist doctors can diagnose whether a patient is affected with NCIP or not; which depends on the symptoms of NCIP and some clinical tests. There is primarily one test for the detection of coronavirus in humans which is reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). However, the overall situation of NCIP-patients can be diagnosed with following clinical tests:
1. Complete blood count, coagulation profile from blood
2. Renal and liver function tests from serum
3. Creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and electrolytes from serum.
4. Status of nCoV-19 infection in Pakistan    
   As of the recent statistics from worldometers.info, approximately eleven thousand nCoV-19 cases have been reported in Pakistan.  Moreover, Pakistani doctors have successfully recovered more than two thousand nCoV-19 patients. Dr Palitha Gunarathna Mahipala, the country head of WHO, has shown his satisfaction over Pakistani provincial government response against nCoV-19 outbreak while he was visiting Karachi, Pakistan. Moreover, one great step is also taken by government of Pakistan is that experts have dedicated mobile teams for nCoV-19 testing in specific areas. Pakistani government has responded very timely and dedicated several hospitals to treat nCoV-19-infected patients but some of the hospitals are enlisted below:
   

• Allied Hospital, Faisalabad    
• Services Hospital, Lahore      
• Mayo Hospital , Lahore          
• Doctors Hospital & Medical Center  
• DHQ Teaching Hospital, Sargodha   
• Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore   
• Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad        
• Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Lahore         
• Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (PKLI) and Research Center, Lahore  
• Defense National Hospital, Lahore   
• Bahria International Hospital, Lahore           
• Agha Khan University Hospital, Karachi and many others.

On the other hand, Pakistan government has stopped 5 airports for international flights to minimize the spread of nCoV-19 infection throughout the country. Additionally, Education Departments of Pakistan and Higher Education Commission, Pakistan have decided to keep all the educational institutes including private, public-sector school, colleges and universities closed till April 5, 2020 in response to nCoV-19 emergency.

5. Preventive measure to avoid nCoV-19 infection

There are a lot of preventive measures suggested by China CDC, USA CDC and WHO committee, but here are some do’s and don’ts which one can easily do practice to prevent from getting nCoV-19 infection.        

Do’s to prevent nCoV-19 infection

• Stay at home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and slight runny nose until recovered
• Try to greet people with a wave, a nod or a bow
• Wear rubber gloves while going in public
• Wear mouth mask to prevent from nCoV-19 infection
• Cover your mouth and nose with bent elbow or tissue and dispose tissue after using
• Frequently clean your hands with soap/sanitize/alcohol based hand rub
• Avoid close contact with anyone who is coughing or sneezing
• Stay 1 meter away from one who is coughing or sneezing

Don’ts to prevent nCoV-19 infection

• Don’t use half-cooked meat, eggs and other food stuff
• Don’t touch your eyes, mouth and nose without any reason
• Don’t take hot baths as it can burn your and it may help nCoV-19 to infect easily
• Don’t shake hands or give hugs for greetings
• Don’t go to public if you are feeling unwell
• Don’t touch the currency notes without wearing rubber gloves
• Don’t travel unless until it is necessary

6. What should be done, afraid yourself or be brave to fight with nCoV-19?       

As there is not proper treatment and vaccine present commercially at this time in the world to cure NCIP. Scientists from all over the world are trying at their best to invent or discover the vaccine or cure to nCoV-19 infection. Some scientists have claimed that they have discovered the vaccine to cure the NCIP and the vaccine might be out later this year or next year.

7. You can fight nCoV-19 by doing following things

1. Keeping the current scenario in mind one would definitely follow the guidelines proposed by CDC, China, USA and World Health Organization.  
2. If you are feeling unwell and developing mild or severe symptoms of disease, then you should seek the medical assistance from a qualified doctor rather than self-medication.
3. Show empathy with those effected, always give recent and authenticated facts and avoid spreading rumors.
4. It is normal to feel sad, stressed, confused, scared or angry during crisis. So, being supportive to others might help in getting out of crisis. Talking people, you trust can help and keep in touch with your friends and family.
5. It’s time to be aware of, be careful, be smart, be kind, be supportive, be prepared to fight nCoV-19 and support others.

Conclusions

As nCoV-19 outbreak has begun from Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, Hebei, China on December 31, 2019. Approximately, one hundred and fifty thousand people worldwide have been affected by nCoV-19 touching the death toll of ̴ 5600 people. More than 50% of total nCoV-19 confirmed cases and deaths are attributed to only one country that is China. Italy is the most affected country second to China. One should practice the guidelines provided by the office of the Center for Disease Control, China and USA and World Health Organization. Furthermore, one should be alert, prepared, careful, kind, supportive and ready to fight with nCoV-19.