What you need to know about the coronavirus

If you're currently self-isolating right now and you're a little frustrated about the situation, just remind yourself that doing so may save not just your life, but those of your family and entire communities as well. The novel coronavirus that erupted out of Wuhan, China has been plaguing the world since as early as January 2020. Here's what you need to know about the COVID-19 based on research gleaned by Dr. Mark Hochberg MD.

The novel coronavirus is a new pathogen that sprung in China in late 2019. Medical experts believe it's a virus that became capable of infecting humans and, since it's relatively new, humans possess no immunity to it yet. Various medical research organizations and pharmaceutical companies are currently racing to develop a vaccine for COVID-19 in record time, adds Dr. Mark Hochberg MD.

The novel coronavirus evades control and detection because experts are still pinning down its characteristics. Scientists believe the virus can be transmitted through airborne droplets - fine bits of moisture ejected from an infected person when they sneeze or cough or just even talk loudly. An infected person may transmit the coronavirus as far as 6 feet away. Once the droplets go out, they can settle on surfaces for as long as 5 days, depending on the kind of surface, says Dr. Mark Hochberg MD. In those two weeks, a person who has no symptoms, what they call asymptomatic in medical circles, may spread the coronavirus to their family, friends, and co-workers.

Once the coronavirus enters the body, the patient may feel well for up to two weeks before symptoms start to show. The symptoms involve fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. If left unchecked or undetected, the coronavirus can cause severe pneumonia which requires intubation – hence, governments and companies are busy making new ICU beds and respirators. Those with underlying medical conditions are susceptible to encounter this complication from COVID-19. As of this writing, there have been 28, 400 deaths in the country and 134,454 deaths worldwide.

This is why you must continue to isolate until the authorities lift the lockdown in your area. If you need to go out, make sure you're doing it to get food or work in essential industries like medical or food retail. You also need to practice hygiene like wearing masks, washing your hands frequently, keeping a distance from other people at all times, avoiding touching surfaces in public areas, and avoiding touching your face if you haven't disinfected your hands. These may seem like impractical precautions, but they will save your life in these extraordinary times.