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Blog
Update on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Washington, D.C.,
March 4, 2020
Tags:
Coronavirus
On the Coronavirus (COVID-19), more than 100 presumed or confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported around the country as of Tuesday night, according to CBS news, and nine (9) people have succumb to the disease. As of yesterday afternoon, however, South Carolina DHEC officials reported there were no confirmed cases in South Carolina. According to the World Health Organization, COVID-19 is a more severe disease than seasonal influenza. While the flu generally kills fewer than 1% of those infected, the mortality rate of COVID-19 is currently around 3.4%. People most at risk are those already suffering from related illnesses, or those suffering with lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, or are of old age. It’s important to note there are currently no vaccines or specific treatments for COVID-19. While vaccines are currently in development, that process takes time. It is too early to know (or predict) how widespread COVID-19 will be, or how long it will take before the number of new cases begins to decline. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the greatest risk for catching COVID-19 is by being exposed to someone who has it. You can greatly reduce your risk of exposure through rigid hygiene. This includes washing hands regularly, covering sneezes and coughs, disinfecting surfaces that are frequently touched, avoiding contact with people who are sick, and staying at home when you are sick. Also according to the CDC, it’s important to contact a healthcare professional if: (A) you develop a fever along with symptoms of respiratory illness (e.g. cough or difficulty breathing); and (2) you have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or if you live in or have recently traveled to an area with widespread cases of the disease. Remember: news and analysis can often be sensationalized. When it comes to COVID-19, It’s important to rely on facts and authoritative sources for updates, including the CDC and SC DHEC. Latest from CDC: http://bit.ly/cdc-covid19 Latest from SCDHEC: http://bit.ly/scdhec-covid19 |
