Disclaimer: This is a general overview of COVID 19. A lot of the information is evolving therefore kindly refer to the CDC or your country’s public health agency.
I am a practising physician, an Internist and hospitalist working in the USA and this is my small attempt to raise awareness about this virus.
What is COVID 19 or SARs COV 2?
COVID 19 or SARs COV 2 is the virus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) which is responsible for the pandemic across the world. It originated from Wuhan, China. We first learned about it when a cluster of cases with severe pneumonia was reported around New Year’s Eve 2019.
Some facts: As of today:–
World over 12.9 million cases and over 571 thousand deaths.
Equally important! Over 7 million recoveries!
US: over 3.3 million cases; 137,000 deaths and over 980,000 recoveries. Curve going up again.
India: over 878,000 cases. Over 23000 deaths 553,000 recovered- cases still rising
UK: 290, 000 cases. Over 44800 deaths.
China 85,522 cases. Reported Deaths: below 5K
Italy: 243,000 cases Deaths: 34,954 and 1.9 million recovered. Less than 300 cases are being reported everyday now. Lockdown worked!
Spain: 254,000 cases. Deaths 28,403. 150K recoveries.
South Korea: 13,479 cases. 289 deaths. 12,204 recoveries. Over 90% recovery rate!
Japan: 21,500 cases.. Below 700 deaths.
Hongkong: 1522 cases. 8 deaths. 1217 recovered!
One death is too many. Yet it is important to know that most people who get the infection recover.
Overall death rate is probably less than 1% (as many cases are asymptomatic and undiagnosed). It’s also important to keep in mind that this rate is considerably higher in the at risk population.
The mortality (death) rate in India is much lower than other countries – (why?- unaccounted deaths (doubt), underlying resistance/immunity which ‘protects’ against severe illness?)
Besides the above the cost of the infection has been much higher- people have lost their livelihoods, their jobs and businesses have been shut down- some permanently. It has also had a huge mental health cost– such as isolation, lack of contact with your loved ones and dying alone from the disease.
