Since the Coronavirus was first discovered in Wuhan, China this novel illness has spread to areas of mainland Europe, Asia, Africa and America. Below, we have provided an overview of COVID-19 and all you need to know:
What is the COVID-19?
Coronaviruses were first discovered in the 1960’s and are most commonly found in animals, including camels and bats. Previously, six strains of the coronavirus are known to have transmitted from animals to humans, the most renowned proving the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) CoV, resulting in an outbreak in 2003.
This latest outbreak spread from animals to humans at an animal and seafood market in late 2019. The increasing number of people to contract the virus, who have not been in contact with animals, suggests that people are now transmitting it between each other.
What are the symptoms caused by the Coronavirus?
The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that more common, including the cold and flu. These include a runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat and fever. Most people will contract this at some point in their life, usually lasting for only a short amount of time.
More severe cases of the coronavirus, such as MERS-CoV, SAR-CoV and COVID-19, have been reported to cause infections of the lower respiratory tract, similar to pneumonia and bronchitis. This is more common in infants, the elderly or people with a fragile immune system. The most serious cases of the virus have also caused kidney failure and death.
How to control the spread of the Coronavirus?
As the coronavirus is a new illness, it is not known how exactly it is spread between people. However, it is thought it can spread through the air via coughing and sneezing, via contact with the infected person or contaminated surfaces.
As with most emerging viruses, the risks depend on a variety of aspects and measures are therefore being put in place to control the infection. These include:
- Covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
- Should you find it difficult to reach for a tissue in time, sneeze or cough into the crease of your arm and avoid using your hands
- Any tissues that you sneeze or cough into should be put into the bin immediately
- Use hand sanitiser and soap whenever you wash your hands
- Avoid any close contact with individuals who are unwell
How To Help Control The Spread of COVID-19 with WINNS?
WINNS Services has over 20 years of experience in dealing with infection control. We adopt a systematic approach when cleaning large spaces and employ temperature steam and fogging techniques. Each of our cleaners are comprehensively trained, monitored and audited throughout each of the stages.
For more information on the Coronavirus and how we can help, do not hesitate to contact us.