Project work of

English
Title: Covid-19.

MEMBERS:
Rocio Godales Téllez
Uliser Olmo Morgado

Group: 4
COVID-19, an infectious respiratory illness caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome–
corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV2), has now spread to multiple countries. Transmission in
asymptomatic cases, early symptomatic phase, as well as limited access to testing in different
settings are factors that have led to the rapid spread of infection. A large case series from
China revealed that 81% of cases had mild symptoms, 14% had severe disease, and 5% were
afflicted with critical illness. While the mortality in China was reported as 2.3%, Italy, with a
high-proportion of elderly, reported a case fatality report of 7.2% due to higher infection and
mortality rates among the elderly. Being a highly infectious disease, with a basic reproduction
number between 2 to 3, COVID-19 is affecting a large number of healthcare workers, as
evidenced by the fact that a sizeable portion of reported infections in the US included
healthcare workers. Delivering health care for both COVID-19 affected individuals, as well
those with other acute and chronic conditions, with limited access to healthcare facilities and
services, are challenges for the health systems in low- and middle-income countries, which
require immediate measures for health system strengthening across sectors.

In December 2019, China reported an outbreak of pneumonia of unknown causes in Wuhan,

the capital city of Hubei province. Most of the early cases were epidemiologically linked to the
Huanan seafood wholesale market where aquatic animals and live animals were sold. Using
unbiased next-generation sequencing, an unknown betacoronavirus was discovered from
lower respiratory tract samples of these patients. Human airway epithelial cells were used to
isolate the virus that was named 2019–novel Coronavirus. The virus when observed under
electron microscope had a diameter of 60 to 140 nm with characteristic spikes of 9 to 12 nm,
similar to the Coronoviridae family. Phylogenetically, the novel coronavirus was found to be
more similar to two bat derived coronavirus strains (~88% similarity) than coronaviruses which
infect humans including SARS (~79% similarity) and MERS (~50% similarity). Based on
phylogeny and taxonomy on February 11, 2020, the Coronaviridae study group of the
International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses named the virus as SARS–CoV2.5 The World
Health Organization (WHO) named the resultant disease as Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
On March 11, 2020, WHO, after assessing the situation across the globe, declared COVID-19 as
a pandemic.

Zoonotic transmission initially appeared to be a plausible cause as majority of early cases had a
history of exposure to wet markets. However, by the end of January 2020, the number of
people who developed the disease without exposure to the market or another person with
respiratory symptoms increased. The spread of the disease among persons who did not visit
Wuhan and among healthcare workers suggested a person-to-person spread of the virus. The
exact mode of transmission of this virus is unknown. But, as with other respiratory viruses,
droplet borne infection, either directly or indirectly, through fomites is probably the
predominant mode of transmission. At present, there is no evidence for airborne transmission
of the virus. Although virus particles have been detected in stool samples of both symptomatic
and convalescing patients, the risk of feco-oral transmission is unclear.

Prevention

COVID-19 is an infectious disease, posing a massive challenge to global health, which will
probably run a prolonged course till an effective vaccine is found, or herd immunity is
achieved. Until availability of effective vaccines for a large percentage of the global population,
public health measures such as social distancing, isolation, and quarantine are needed to
prevent the spread of the virus. WHO recommends protective measures such as frequent hand
washing, avoiding touching of eyes, nose or mouth, maintaining a distance of at least 1 m
between people, and practicing respiratory hygiene, to help prevent the spread of the disease.

HCWs and health administrators as frontline defence in this battle against COVID-19 need to
be geared up for a prolonged battle. In our country additional health system challenges include
the large numbers affected by chronic conditions that predispose to severe illness, poor
control of chronic conditions, difficulties in accessing healthcare due to lack of adequate, and
equitably distributed healthcare services, which are now compounded by the loss of income
and mobility with containment measures such as the nationwide lockdown. Strategies to
increase universal health coverage, with massive infrastructural changes, upgradation of the
public healthcare systems, and strategic involvement of the private health sector are required
to rise up to this novel challenge that the virus poses, with lasting benefits for both the current
epidemic and future health challenges.

Treatment

From doctor

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the use of two oral antiviral
COVID-19 treatments. Not everyone who gets COVID-19 qualifies to receive these treatments.

The first treatment is a combination of two tablets called Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir).
The two medicines are taken together twice a day for five days. This treatment should be
started as soon as possible after symptoms begin.

The second treatment is a pill called Lagevrio (molnupiravir). It is taken twice a day for five
days and should be started as soon as possible after symptoms begin.

If you have COVID-19 and are at high risk of severe illness, your doctor may recommend
nirmatrelvir with ritonavir or molnupiravir. They may refer you to a clinical trial for a potential
COVID-19 treatment. They may also prescribe medicine to help with your symptoms.

At the Hospital

People with serious illness from COVID-19 should go to the hospital for treatment. The hospital
may give treatments to:

Slow the virus's spread through the body with antiviral medicines such as remdesivir.

Calm the body’s immune system, which may overreact to the virus and worsen the disease.
Overactive immune responses can damage organs and tissues.

Treat complications to the body, such as in the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and brain. COVID-
19 can also cause other complications. Patients who are hospitalized with serious COVID-19
illness might also be given blood thinners to prevent or treat blood clots.