COVID-19

Overview

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause illness in animals or humans.  In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes coronavirus disease- COVID-19.

This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. COVID-19 is now a pandemic affecting many countries globally.

Currently, according to the researchers, the new Coronavirus spreads through the droplets released into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The droplets generally do not travel more than a few feet, and they fall to the ground (or onto surfaces).

The symptoms are known to show up in people within 14 days of exposure to the virus. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

As of now, there is not a specific treatment for the virus. People who become sick from COVID-19 should be treated with supportive measures: those that relieve symptoms. For severe cases, there may be additional options for treatment, including research drugs and therapeutics.

Here we address the

Prevention Measures

Preventive measures of the disease which include How to Protect Yourself & Others, recommendations on washing hands, avoiding close contacts, Covering the mouth and nose with a mask when around others, cleanliness and disinfection and health monitoring in a daily basis.

Vaccines

The global effort to develop vaccines for protection against COVID-19, which emphasize few of the ten vaccine candidates have, as of early June 2020 entered clinical trials, including phase II trials, namely, Pharmaceutical prophylaxis and treatment 9, Dexamethasone, Remdesivir, Lopinavir/Ritonavir, Hydroxychloroquine, ACE-inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers and the Convalescent plasma.

Management

Management of COVID in Sri Lanka, here we refer the Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) initiated by the Ministry of Health – Sri Lanka in collaboration with Ceylon College of Physicians and Coordinated by Epidemiology Unit which will be useful in early detection and management of suspected and confirmed cases of COVID- 19, and to develop the capacity of the health sector to be prepared for any eventuality with suspected and confirmed COVID-19 outbreaks

Q & A

Frequently Asked Question and Answers, here we address the most frequently asked questions regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and we provide relevant answers.

Local/Global Timeline

Local and Global timeline of incidents, we have published an interactive timeline of incidents of Covid-19 locally and globally, which will continue to be updated