Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.
The first case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was first reported from Wuhan, China, on 31 December 2019. Till now 67,107 cases of coronavirus have been detected globally in 29 countries. The death toll as a result of coronavirus is 1,526 while 8,365 people have recovered from the disease.
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, and even death.
Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
Who Should Get Tested?
- Suspect case
Patient with a history of travel to or residence in China during the last 14 days prior to symptom onset; severe acute respiratory infection (fever, cough, and requiring admission to hospital)
Patient with any acute respiratory illness AND at least one of the following during the 14 days prior to symptom onset:
- a) contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 infection
- b) Worked in or attended a health care facility where patients with confirmed or probable COVID-19 acute respiratory disease patients were being treated.
- An extremely worried person who wants to exclude the novel corona (COVID-19) virus infection
- Patients referred by a registered medical practitioner
Chughtai Lab is offering PCR based test for Coronavirus with results in 7 days.
Source: World Health Organization and World Meters