Based on the retrospective analysis, starting from December 2019, the number of COVID-19 cases in Hubei gradually increased, reaching 60 by 20 December and at least 266 by 31 December
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Symptoms of COVID-19 are highly variable, ranging from none to life-threateningly severe. COVID-19 transmits when people breathe in air contaminated by droplets and small airborne particles. The risk of breathing these in is highest when people are in close proximity, but they can be inhaled over longer distances, particularly indoors. Transmission can also occur if splashed or sprayed with contaminated fluids, in the eyes nose or mouth, and rarely via contaminated surfaces. People remain contagious for up to 20 days, and can spread the virus even if they do not develop any symptoms.
What is a coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of enveloped, non-segmented, single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses that circulate among animals including camels, cats, and bats. Coronaviruses derive their name from their electron microscopic image, which resembles a crown – or corona
Risk factors for COVID-19 include:
- older age
- ethnicity
- male gender
- comorbidities (including hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, chronic lung/kidney/liver disease, cancer, hematologic malignancy, organ transplant, or immunosuppression
How many people are infected with COVID-19?
The number of people infected changes daily. Organizations that collect this information, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are gathering information and continuously learning more about this outbreak. As of this writing (05/11/2021), more than 159,000,000 people in the world have been infected. Over 3,300,000 people have died. Some 192 countries and territories on all continents (except Antarctica) have now reported cases of COVID-19. The U.S. has the highest number of cases, with more than 32,000,000 people infected and over 580,000 deaths. India has nearly 23,000,000 cases and 250,000 deaths. Brazil has more than 15,200,000 cases and 420,000 deaths. France has over 5,800,000 cases; Turkey has over 5,000,000 cases; Russia and England have over 4,400,000 cases; Italy has more than 4,100,000; Spain and Germany have over 3,500,000 cases; Argentina and Columbia have more than 3,000,000 cases; Poland and Iran have over 2,600,000 cases and Mexico has over 2,300,000 cases. For the latest statistics, see the World Health Organization's situation reports and Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center map references at end of article.
Where do coronaviruses come from?
Coronaviruses are often found in bats, cats and camels. The viruses live in but do not infect the animals. Sometimes these viruses then spread to different animal species. The viruses may change (mutate) as they transfer to other species. Eventually, the virus can jump from animal species and begins to infect humans. In the case of COVID-19, the first people infected in Wuhan, China are thought to have contracted the virus at a food market that sold meat, fish and live animals – but they are still investigating. Although researchers don’t know exactly how people were infected, they already have evidence that the virus can be spread directly from person to person through close contact.
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