Coronavirus 2019 Infectious Disease Epidemic: Where We Are, What Can Be Done and Hope For
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) spreads mainly by means of aerosols (microdroplets) in enclosed environments, especially those in which temperature and humidity are regulated by means of air-conditioning. About 30 of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 develop coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease. Among them, approximately 25 require hospitalization. In medicine, cases are identied as those who become ill. During this pandemic, cases have been identied as those with a positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test, including approximately 70 who were asymptomaticthis has caused unnecessary anxiety. Individuals more than 65 years old, those affected by obesity, diabetes, asthma, or are immune-depressed owing to cancer and other conditions, are at a higher risk of hospitalization and of dying of COVID-19. Healthy individuals younger than 40 years very rarely die of COVID-19. Estimates of the COVID-19 mortality rate vary because the denition of COVID-19related deaths varies. Belgium has the highest death rate at 154.9 per 100,000 persons, because it includes anyone who died with symptoms compatible with COVID19, even those never tested for SARS-CoV-2. The United States includes all patients who died with a positive test, whether they died because of, or with, SARS-CoV-2. Countries that include only patients in which COVID-19 was the main cause of death, rather than a cofactor, have lower death rates. Numerous therapies are being developed, and rapid improvements are anticipated. Because of disinformation, only approximately 50 of the U.S. population plans to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 07, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1124816
Entities
People
- Enrico Bucci
- John Lednicky
- Mario Venditti
- Michele Carbone
- Shu-yuan Xiao
Organizations
- University of Hawaiʻi System