As of now, 106 people have died because of the novel coronavirus outbreak and thousands have been infected. Since it's a new strain, there is no specific vaccine that can treat it.
The Chinese government has clamped down on the central Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus that has claimed 106 lives so far and infected thousands. The reach of the virus has been reported from as far as the United States. The outbreak happened last month.
The Chinese government has clamped down on the central Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus that has claimed 106 lives so far and infected thousands. The reach of the virus has been reported from as far as the United States. The outbreak happened last month.
What is coronavirus?
The coronavirus is a family of viruses that can cause a range of illnesses in humans including common cold and more severe forms like SARS and MERS which are life-threatening. The virus is named after its shape which takes the form of a crown with protrusions around it and hence is known as coronavirus.How is India responding to the outbreak?
According to the Health Ministry, 9150 passengers have been screened for the novel coronavirus. Till now, no case of novel coronavirus has been reported in India. Health ministry has asked travellers from China to report to the nearest health facility in case they do not feel well. The ministry has asked authorities at seven airports of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Cochin to screen those travelling from China.
Prevention
There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.A
- Avoid touching your, eyes nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.