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Corona virus paper

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Running head: THE CORONAVIRUS 1
The Coronavirus
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THE CORONAVIRUS 2
The Coronavirus
The Coronavirus, officially recognized as COVID-19 by the World Health Organization,
was first noted in China’s Wuhan on 31
st
December 2019 (Wang et al., 2020). Reports gathered
that the virus emanated from a seafood market in this area of Wuhan, after which, in the
consequent days and weeks, it spread to other parts of China and the rest of the world (Holshue
et al., 2020). This virus is a novel coronavirus (nCoV), which is a new strain of the larger
coronavirus family newly identified in populations. The larger family of coronaviruses cause
illnesses and diseases such as common cold, and other severe conditions that affected the world
in the previous decade including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East
Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) (Wang et al., 2020). If not mitigated by health officials and the
international community, high virulence of the novel COVID-19 could signify a worldwide
pandemic in the coming weeks or months.
Structure and Symptoms
COVID-19 is a communicable disease that mainly affects the respiratory system.
Genome sequencing results for this virus indicates that it resembles SARS by between 75 and
80%, and is also almost identical to coronaviruses in bats (Perlman, 2020). Perlman (2020)
further states that the virus thrives in the epithelial cells of the human airway rather than in
standard tissue culture cells. Wang et al. (2020) state that clinical features for admitted patients
include an initial prodromal phase where symptoms such as coughs, fever, and breathing
difficulties occur. Huang et al. (2020) similarly record common symptoms such as fever, cough,
and fatigue, with rarer symptoms such as emission of sputum, headaches, hemoptysis, and
diarrhea at the onset of infection amongst patients. Going by the pattern and mode of spread, the
coronavirus is highly contagious, only needing personal contact such as shaking of hands or

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THE CORONAVIRUS 3
sneezing for uninfected people to contract the virus. COVID-19 is further stated to be similar in
clinical manifestation as compared to previous pandemics such as SARS (Huang et al., 2020;
Wang et al., 2020). Laboratory findings indicate those suffering from the virus exhibited
lymphopenia and further bilateral ground-glass opacity and/or consolidation as indicated by CT
scans on the chest (Huang et al., 2020; Wang et. al., 2020).
Diagnosis
To test for the virus in its initial stages, respiratory specimens including nasopharyngeal
and oropharyngeal swabs are extracted from patients for analysis, where a low cycle threshold
for both specimens (nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal) indicate the presence of the virus in the
body (Holshue et al., 2020). Results are positive as early as 4 days after infection for these
specimens, with a further affirmation of the virus showing 7 days later. Positive results show
regardless of the patient’s display of symptoms such as fever, however mild. It is during this time
that there are high loads of the virus and hence high chances of transmission and infection to
healthy people (Holshue et al., 2020). Virus levels are however indicated to decrease 11 to 12
days later (Holshue et al., 2020). This could imply that, depending on an individual’s immune
system, the virus could be expunged from the body some two weeks after infection. Patients are
however encouraged to contact medical personnel on exhibiting symptoms of the COVID-19 as
learned from the government and health officials through official communication channels.
Prevention and Treatment
Official treatment for COVID-19 is yet to be confirmed, though there are preliminary
optimistic reports on a possible cure. According to Halavy (2020), Israeli researchers at the
Migal Galilee Research Institute had, at a press conference, announced a breakthrough in the

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Running head: THE CORONAVIRUS 1 The Coronavirus Student’s Name Institution Course Professor Date THE CORONAVIRUS 2 The Coronavirus The Coronavirus, officially recognized as COVID-19 by the World Health Organization, was first noted in China’s Wuhan on 31st December 2019 (Wang et al., 2020). Reports gathered that the virus emanated from a seafood market in this area of Wuhan, after which, in the consequent days and weeks, it spread to other parts of China and the rest of the world (Holshue et al., 2020). This virus is a novel coronavirus (nCoV), which is a new strain of the larger coronavirus family newly identified in populations. The larger family of coronaviruses cause illnesses and diseases such as common cold, and other severe conditions that affected the world in the previous decade including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) (Wang et al., 2020). If not mitigated by health officials and the international community, high virulence of the novel COVID-19 could signify a worldwide pandemic in the coming weeks or months. Structure and Symptoms COVID-19 is a communicable disease that mainly affects the respiratory system. Genome sequencing results for this virus indicates that it resembles SARS by between 75 and 80%, and is also almost identical to coronaviruses in bats (Perlman, 2020). Perlman (2020) further states that the virus thrives in the epithelial cells of the human airway rather than in standard tissue ...
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