New York City now records more COVID-19 cases than the UK and China combined
On Sunday 12 November, New York City alone recorded a minimum of 5,695 new cases of the virus as the United States (US) continues to design means for combatting the COVID-19.
New York has been a COVID-19 epicentre, with 189,000 cases reported in the city, since the outbreak of the virus in the USA. Since that time. The death toll in New York is 6,898 and approximately 27,676 persons remain in hospital.
The new figures now indicate that New York City has more cases of coronavirus than China (83,135) and the United Kingdom (85,208). In the United States, there are 557,300 cases and more than 22,000 people died of coronavirus so far.
Globally the number has reached 1.8 million with over 308,757 people recovered from coronavirus, and on Sunday the 12th there were 114,185 people deadly infections.
The virus found in Wuhan still affects the entire world, and millions of cases are affected worldwide, mainly in the United States, Italy and Spain.
The virus is spreading through respiratory droplets from coughing between people similar to influenza. Typically 5 days between exposure and onset of symptoms can be between 2 and 14 days.
According to experts, Coronavirus can cause pneumonia and those who have fallen ill are reported to suffer coughs, fever and breathing difficulties. In severe cases, there can be organ failure.
As this is viral pneumonia, antibiotics are of no use.
The antiviral drugs we have against flu will not work. Recovery depends on the strength of the immune system. Many of those who have died were already in poor health.
The virus can be easily transmitted from one person to another like flue it is contagious, however, the only difference is that it is worse than the normal flue because it is thought to cause about 400,000 deaths each year globally.
Coronavirus abbreviated as COVID -19 has no cure vaccine meaning it is more difficult for vulnerable members of the population – elderly people or those with existing respiratory or immune problems – to protect themselves.
Many measures including hand-washing with soap and avoiding crowded places and self-isolation if you feel an unusual cough have been put forth by the World Health Organization to help in the curbing on its spread.
Precautionary Measures
According to the WHO, you should wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water because this can help kill viruses that may be on your hands.
Maintain social distancing of at least one metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain the virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth because your hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
Always practice respiratory hygiene that is, make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
This is so because droplets spread the virus and by following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
In case you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. If possible stay home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and slight runny nose, until you recover.
