According to a WHO official, the 2019 Novel Coronavirus falls into a category dubbed “category X.”
Scientists previously warned that an outbreak of an as-yet unknown infectious disease could wipe out 80 million and cause a deadly pandemic; this is a category X disease. What potentially makes it so dangerous is that, unlike the similar SARS, it replicates in huge numbers in the throat and nose, and is capable of spreading to people showing little to no symptoms.
Scientist Marion Koopman said: “Whether it will be contained or not, this outbreak is rapidly becoming the first true pandemic challenge that fits the disease X category.”
In a paper for the American Medical Association, doctors said: “Unlike SARS, Covid-19 infection has a broader spectrum of severity ranging from asymptomatic to mildly symptomatic to severe illness that requires mechanical ventilation.
“Clinical progression of the illness appears similar to SARS: patients developed pneumonia around the end of the first week to the beginning of the second week of illness.”
Prof David Heymann said: “Terms such as pandemic are distracting – what is necessary is to understand the current situation in each country.
“Outbreaks must be stopped if possible, and if there is community spread also, community mitigation such as social distancing should be considered along the lines of pandemic preparedness plans for influenza that countries may decide to roll out.
“It is for WHO to determine when the outbreaks should be called a pandemic and they will do this based on information from many different sources.”
At the time or writing, 2100+ people have died from the virus, with many more infected. But it just makes you think, how many people are actually infected? As said before, the virus replicates quickly in an area of the body that allows it to be spread very easily, and if little or no symptoms are present, the host will likely go about their day normally, interacting with countless people. The virus is indiscriminate, and seems to affect the already ill and elderly. Bill Gates has previously said that, as a species, we are “ill equipped” for such a pandemic.
It’s easy to get lost in all the headlines and assume the worst. So what will happen? Only time will tell. Just remember to wash your hands regularly and stay away from people displaying symptoms. Check out the NHS website for more details on the Coronavirus.
