IMPORTANT DETAILS ON 2019 nCoV ARD (February 3, 2020)

NOTE: The details below are excerpted and translated in English from the following Chinese articles in 新快报:

1. 钟南山：研究基本支持病毒来源于蝙蝠 疫情未来十天至两周或现高峰

2. 警惕！广州首次在门把手上发现新型冠状病毒核酸

3. 新型冠状病毒在空气中能存活多久？专家解答

4. 女子到汕头探亲发热咳嗽未报告 确诊后四人被立案

Related Blog:
Sa Pagharap sa 2019 nCoV ARS, tandaan itong “1-2-3-4-5” – Dr. Miu Xiaohui, Infectious Disease Department, Changzheng Hospital


WHAT SCIENTISTS KNOW ABOUT 2019 nCoV ARD.

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus Acute Respiratory Disease (2019 nCoV ARD) is one of the seven, and one of the three severe coronaviruses known to have infected humans. The other two categorized as severe are SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Please note that several coronaviruses are prevalent among mammals and birds, i.e. CoV-229E, CoV-OC43, CoV-NL63, and CoV-HKU1.


As per available data, the median age of those infected with 2019 nCoV ARD is 59 years old, 56% of all confirmed cases are male, and the average time for symptoms to show is 5.2 days (95% confidence at range 4.1 to 7.0 days). The ratio of infectivity is 2.2 R0 (that is, a carrier can potentially transmit the nCoV to 2.2 people). Fever is still the leading symptom for the disease, but there are reports of asymptomatic patients.

According to research, the 2019 nCoV ARD is 79.5% similar to SARS-CoV, and 96% similar to coronaviruses found in bats. It supports that the novel coronavirus came from bats, but more studies are needed if there is indeed a host between bats and humans.


MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO STOP THE CORONAVIRUS FROM SPREADING.

“Early discovery and early quarantine” is the most effective way to stop the disease from spreading, according to Dr. Zhong Nanshan, head of the Chinese research team for the 2019 nCoV ARD. He believes that while the cases are still on the rise, there should be no “boom on the number of cases on the nationwide scale, there may be isolated cases of abrupt increase in localities.”

Dr. Zhong Nanshan said that the situation might reach its peak within the next ten to fourteen days or so (that is, within February 12 to 14, as per original posting date). He called on everyone not to loosen their vigilance but to step up all the means to stop the disease from spreading.


FECAL-ORAL TRANSMISSION OF THE CORONAVIRUS POSSIBLE.

Dr. Zhong Nanshan did not rule out this possibility. Research on this particular subject is still on-going, he said.


CORONAVIRUS FOUND IN DOORKNOBS.

In Guangzhou, a doorknob was tested positive for presence of coronavirus. The tested doorknob is in the residence of one of the patients confirmed to have the virus.

The local authorities reminded the public to practice hand washing, because the virus may spread in many other ways, most of them people might not give importance to: cellphone screen, computer keyboards, water faucets. These things should be cleaned everyday to deter the virus.


BLIND SPOTS IN A “CLEAN” HOUSE.

According to Dr. Zhang Zhoubin, viruses are susceptible to bleach formula and heat, but because each household has different habit on cleanliness at home, the situation also differs.

He reiterates that hand washing must be practiced before and after meals, before and after going to the bathroom, before touching the food, and coming home from school or work.

At home, the “blind spots” in a clean house are the following: cellular phones, landline phones, keyboard and mouse, light switches, water faucets, doorknobs among others. Because these are the things people touch regularly, the more we should focus on making them clean.


WHY UNDERGO QUARANTINE?

Dr. Li Lanjuan explains that quarantine has two benefits: first is for self-observation, looking for signs and symptoms of sickness, second is to prevent the disease from spreading by minimizing his/her encounter with people. If in those fourteen days, that person has not manifested any signs of sickness, then he/she is free from the disease.


SURVIVAL TIME FOR THE VIRUS IN THE AIR.

The novel coronavirus can survive for 48 hours in dry environment. While airborne, the survival time is two hours, its survival diminishes afterwards, according to Dr. Li Lanjuan.


SAFE DISTANCE BETWEEN PEOPLE.

Dr. Li Lanjuan stated that normally, close contact with people promotes transmission of the virus. A distance of 1.5 to 2 meters between people is good and safe.


CASE FILED AGAINST PEOPLE WHO HID FROM AUTHORITIES WHILE ONE IS SICK WITH VIRUS.

On 2 February , the police department of Shantou in Guangdong Province released a report stating that four people were filed with a case as they posed danger to public health and safety when they tried to hide from the authorities when one of them is sick with the virus. A couple from Wuhan named Mr. Du and Ms. Yang went to Shantou to visit Mr. Du's father in January 23. During their stay in their father’s residence, Ms. Yang had cough and colds. Three of them and one who knew of the sickness Mr. Xu refused to report this to the authorities.

The couple were quarantined 29 January. Ms. Yang was found positive with the nCoV two days later. The authorities later conducted contact tracing. While under quarantine, the four being found detriment to public health and safety, were charged by the Shantou police.