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COVID-19: A REVIEW OF WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW AND DO TO KEEP SAFE
Lokuruka, M
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2, the cause of COVID-19, has resulted in high mortalities and global
socio-economic disruptions. As knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 evolves,
the public requires up to date and appropriate information in order to keep safe in the
absence of a proven vaccine. This review of the literature was written to provide the
latest information on the virus and the disease. SARS-CoV-2 bears a higher genomic
homology to SARS-CoV-1 than MERS-CoV-1. Globally, COVID-19 has caused more
than 4.07 million deaths and infected over 188 million people by 16th July, 2021. In
Africa, more than 4.5 million and over 106,000 people have been infected and died,
respectively. In Kenya, over 191,000 have been infected and 3,746 people have died
from COVID-19 by the date. The figure for Kenya is much lower than the over
150,000 deaths from the Spanish flu of 1918-20. SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted through
expiratory droplets and direct contact, while faecal and airborne transmission have been
documented, but not confirmed. It enters the body through nasal passages, conjunctiva
or mouth. It can survive on bank notes, vinyl plastic, mobile phone, glass, cardboard,
cloth fabric and stainless steel for varying periods. At 50% Rh, it can survive on
stainless steel, vinyl plastic and glass at 20, 30 and 40oC for 28, 7 days and less than a
day, respectively. On cotton fabrics, it can survive for 7, 3 days and less than 24 hr at
20, 30 and 40oC, respectively. Age, late hospitalization, diabetes co-morbidity, obesity,
chronic lung disease and hypertension are the major risk factors for COVID-19
mortality. Age and laboratory indicators are predictors of mortality. Vaccines allowed
for emergency use include the Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer/Biontech, Moderna,
Sinopharm, SINOVAC, Sputnik V and Johnson and Johnson. Although they all have
shown high efficacy against the original COVID-19 strains globally, they have lower
efficacy against the Brazilian P.1, the UK B.1.1.7, Finnish FIN-796H, the New
Jersey/New York B.1.526, the South African B.1.351 and the Indian Delta mutant.
Regular hand washing, face masking, avoiding overcrowding, physical distancing,
outdoor communing, seeking immediate medical attention and isolating when infected,
all can minimize SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Potential infection from frozen foods
packaging, frozen foods and food preparation surfaces has been demonstrated.
However, good hygiene practices can minimize infection from foods, shopping bags,
take-out containers and groceries. Animal foods should not be consumed raw, while
groceries require thorough washing with potable water during preparation. Despite
concerns posed by the continuing evolution of virulent mutants of SARS-CoV-2,
researchers are working to develop effective vaccines in order to eliminate the threat of
the virus.
Keywords
Viruses; SARS-CoV-1; MERS-CoV-1; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; transmission; infection; mutation; treatment; prevention
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