You can find more information on COVID-19 in the Philippines, here.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by a strain of coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). It belongs to a large family of coronaviruses, which cause infectious illnesses, such as SARS—the last outbreak of which occurred in 2003 and MERS-CoV, which caused an epidemic back in 2012 and 2018.
Covid-19 in the Philippines: Where did it begin?
Before COVID-19 escalated into a pandemic, it was called the “novel coronavirus” and dubbed a Public Health Emergency of International concern by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The first reports of a mysterious respiratory illness first emerged from the city of Wuhan in the Hubei province of China back in December 2019.
Since then, cases spread to neighboring countries across Asia. Until eventually, despite travel restrictions and border control measures, practically all countries in the world reported their own number of infections.
And in just less than five months, COVID-19 cases soared past 3 million, with over 10,000 cases located in the Philippines.
On January 30, 2020, The Department of Health (DOH) reported the first cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines. The patient was a 38-year-old Chinese National.
The first death outside of China was reported in the Philippines on February 1, 2020. A man from Wuhan, China had travelled to the country and fell ill with COVID-19. Then eventually succumbed to the virus.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic.
Where did COVID-19 originate?
Though it is still unclear how the outbreak exactly began in Wuhan, many have conjectured that it began because of unsanitary food preparation at a popular seafood market in the heart of the city.
A certain number of viruses have been found to travel from animals to humans, with COVID-19 being the latest addition to the list, as studies suggest.
In just a short span of time, COVID-19 made the leap from human-to-human, an evolution that suggests the virus is adapting quickly.
But what exactly causes viruses such as COVID-19 to leap from animals to humans?
There are two possible conditions needed for this to happen: first, a human must be exposed to a reservoir host (animals that naturally carry the virus) or animals that harbor the virus must become intermediate hosts, transmitting it from a reservoir host.
As the number of cases of coronavirus disease in the Philippines and around the world is steadily on the rise, we are getting a clearer picture of how this global threat behaves and adapts.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of COVID-19?
Those who test positive for COVID-19 may experience a variety of symptoms, ranging from mild to moderate respiratory illness to severe or critical conditions.
Symptoms are often mild and begin gradually. And those with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
The most commonly reported symptoms of COVID-19 are:
- dry cough
- Tiredness
- Fever
But other symptoms are:
- runny nose
- nasal congestion
- sore throat
- aches and pains.
And some of the less common symptoms are:
- Headache
- Body pain
- Chills
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
However, in more severe cases, COVID-19 can cause shortness of breath, or even organ failure.
A growing but limited pool of studies suggests emerging symptoms, such as losing one’s sense of smell or taste or developing “pink eye” or rash, but further analyses are needed to cement these findings.
How is COVID-19 transmitted?
COVID-19 is transmitted through airborne droplets. This means that virus particles are expelled through mucus or saliva.
Theories vary as to how far COVID-19 droplets can actually travel.
Some say COVID-19 particles can remain airborne for three hours, particularly in hospital settings. Some recent studies are looking into the possibility that it can travel to up to 13 feet from the original source.
But according to recent research, COVID-19 particles are too heavy to remain suspended in air, emphasizes the World Health Organization (WHO). And they fall to the ground or nearby surfaces quickly.
But the WHO did, however, clarify that “airborne transmission” is possible in certain settings and circumstances, such as hospitals, where procedures that generate aerosols are performed. Examples of these are open suctioning of the airway, intubation, nebulization, or bronchoscopy.
How long can COVID-19 droplets remain on surfaces?
Though no research has confirmed how long COVID-19 particles can remain on surfaces, there are studies that have attempted to provide more definitive answers.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists have analyzed coronaviruses in general. This may provide helpful hints as to how long COVID-19 droplets can really remain on surfaces.
Research has found that coronaviruses can remain on metal surfaces for 5 days, on wooden surfaces for 4 days, plastic for 2 to 3 days and stainless steel surfaces for 2 to 3 days.
Other studies have even found that coronaviruses can remain on cardboard boxes for 24 hours.
Who is Most at Risk for COVID-19?
When the first few cases began to emerge, it mostly affected the elderly—aged 60 and above—or those with chronic conditions such as diabetes or hypertension. But as the number of cases surged, it became increasingly apparent that even those under the age of 60 are also at risk.
On March 27, a 21-month-old baby girl tested positive for the virus, making her the youngest COVID-19 patient in the Philippines.
But there have also been cases of elderly patients, some as old as 95, who have recovered from coronavirus disease in the Philippines.
Coronavirus Disease in the Philippines: Preventive Measures
On March 7, the first COVID-19 local transmission was confirmed, prompting more widespread preventive measures, including an Enhance Community Quarantine across the Luzon region, which is home to over 53 million people.
In line with public advice given by the World Health Organization (WHO), preventive measures in the Philippines involve:
- practicing hand and respiratory hygiene
- avoiding touching one’s face
- social distancing
- disinfecting the environment
- seeking medical care if you experience COVID-19 signs and symptoms
Aside from these preventive tips, we can also help minimize the spread of COVID-19 by boosting immunity. We can do this through a nutritious, balanced diet, exercise, and adequate sleep.
