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The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), previously referred to as the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), is now declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as pandemic disease. With its increasing cases in the Philippines and around the globe, it is best to be informed about this new virus that had not been previously identified in humans.

According to WHO, Coronaviruses are “a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from common cold to more severe diseases.” These viruses are zoonotic, meaning they can be transmitted between animals and humans.

Human Coronaviruses were first identified in the 1960s. However, the primary cause is still unknown. The name is derived from their crown-like shape.

Most coronaviruses are not dangerous and can spread through coughing and sneezing, human transmission, or by making contact with infected surfaces and objects.

Types

Human Coronaviruses are classified into seven types.

A 24 Oras report explained that “the virus belongs to the same family as the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which claimed hundreds of lives in 2003 and 2012, respectively.”

The newest, and seventh, strain is the 2019-nCoV that was first identified in Wuhan City, China on December 31, 2019.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the seven types of Coronavirus are:

Common Human Coronaviruses

• 229E (alpha coronavirus)
• NL63 (alpha coronavirus)
• OC43 (beta coronavirus)
• HKU1 (beta coronavirus)

Serious Human Coronaviruses

• MERS-CoV or the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus was first reported in Saudi Arabia in 2012. This viral respiratory illness has caused those infected to develop severe respiratory illness, including fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
• SARS-CoV or the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus was first recognized in China in November 2002. It caused a worldwide outbreak with 8,098 probable cases, including 774 deaths. Since 2004, there have not been any known cases of SARS-CoV infection reported anywhere in the world.
• 2019-nCoV or 2019 Novel Coronavirus is the recent addition to the human coronavirus types. This year, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that this new coronavirus was identified by Chinese authorities. The virus is associated with an outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China.

Symptoms and causes

According to the DOH advisory, the common signs of coronavirus infection include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Breathing difficulties
• Respiratory symptoms

In severe cases, coronavirus can cause:

• Pneumonia
• Severe acute respiratory syndrome
• Kidney failure
• Death

What to do about the COVID-19?

As of this writing, there is no vaccine for the Coronavirus Disease 2019, but one is currently being developed.

Until such time, the DOH announced basic precautions to the public:

• Practice frequent hand washing.
• Avoid unprotected contact with farm or wild animals.
• Practice proper cough etiquette -- maintain distance and cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the crook of your elbow.
• Avoid close contact with people showing cold or flu-like symptoms.
• And ensure that food is well-cooked.

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III encourages health workers to be “vigilant and take extra precautionary measures when in contact with patients with acute respiratory infection, especially those with travel history to China.”

“I urge travelers with symptoms of respiratory illness, either during or after travel, to seek medical attention immediately.

"I also call on our health facilities to enhance standard infection prevention and control practices, especially in our emergency departments.

"We must always be ready,” the DOH Secretary concluded.

Learn more about COVID-19 here:

Simple safety measures against coronavirus

Coronavirus Watch: Quarantined Filipinos from Hubei, China, how are they now?

COVID-19 scare leaves tourist spots empty

Possible vaccine against COVID-2019 ready for Phase One trial