Scientists from world over fell that research for other diseases like cancer, diabetes or even Parkinson’s has taken a backseat as most medical fraternities are totally involved in finding and researching a vaccine for the corona virus.

Research for Different Diseases:

Most the funds for research for the different disease have dwindled wi8th the passing of time and the laboratories are forced to shut down.

In the beginning of 2020, scientists and doctors were looking forward to find better ways to treat Parkinson’s, diabetes or cancer with more research done on these diseases. This was not possible due to the wide spread of the deadly pandemic of covid-19.

The only focus at present times is finding a cure or a vaccine for managing this corona virus. This can be a negative impact on the other diseases for a long period of time.

Diabetes Research:

Before this pandemic, there was good progress made on the research for diabetes. Scientists were looking forward to important breakthroughs which could help in preventing the onset of diabetes, especially the Type-1. The research included some smart insulin pumps coming into the market and probably a drug to delay this disease.

Cancer Research:

The cancer research had progressed in a positive manner. People were excited about new immunotherapy and CAR-T therapy for blood cancer. The research was also leading to predictions of the onset of blood cancer, with the goal of prevention. At present, most of the research labs have closed down and the re-opening of these once the pandemic is under control is going to be a slow process.

Impact on Researchers:

For researchers with challenging projects, there are set of changes to be considered. In short, you can say that funding for different research is practically impossible at this moment of time.

Ensure you keep yourself safe during these trying times. Try staying at home and only step out is it is absolutely necessary. Follow social distancing and also follow the guidelines set by your government. Try maintaining a distance of 1 meter at all times between you and any other individual. This is important especially in those areas which have been affected by Covid-19.

It is important to self-isolate if you have even mild symptoms. It is important to monitor yourself. You need to self-quarantine if you do not have any symptoms but have been in close contact with an individual who is affected. Be positive as these are trying times for the whole world.

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A briefing on the preliminary results, marked for official use only and obtained by Yahoo News, offers hope that summertime may offer conditions less hospitable for the virus, though experts caution it will by no means eliminate, or even necessarily decrease, new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. The results, however, do add an important piece of knowledge that the White House’s science advisers have been seeking as they scramble to respond to the spreading pandemic.

The study found that the risk of “transmission from surfaces outdoors is lower during daylight” and under higher temperature and humidity conditions. “Sunlight destroys the virus quickly,” reads the briefing.

While that may provide some good news about the outlook for outdoor activities, the Department of Homeland Security briefing on the results cautions that enclosed areas with low humidity, such as airplane cabins, “may require additional care to minimize risk of transmission.”

In a statement to Yahoo News, the DHS declined to answer questions about the findings and strongly cautioned against drawing any conclusions based on unpublished data.

Health and safety

“The department is dedicated to the fight against COVID-19, and the health and safety of the American people is its top priority. As policy, the department does not comment on allegedly leaked documents,” the DHS said in a statement. “It would be irresponsible to speculate, draw conclusions, or to inadvertently try to influence the public based upon a document that has not yet been peer-reviewed or subjected to the rigorous scientific validation approach.”

DHS science and technology

The results are contained in a briefing by the DHS science and technology directorate, which describes experiments conducted by the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, a lab created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks to address biological threats.

While the DHS describes the results as preliminary, they may eventually make their way into specific recommendations. “Outdoor daytime environments are lower risk for transmission,” the briefing states.

Q&A on coronaviruses (COVID-19) by WHO

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public by WHO

Fight the Pandemic by ‘Flattening the Curve’

Source: Yahoo news

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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.

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.

How does COVID-19 spread?

People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.

WHO is assessing ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share updated findings.

Can the virus that causes COVID-19 be transmitted through the air?

Studies to date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air.  See previous answer on “How does COVID-19 spread?”

Can CoVID-19 be caught from a person who has no symptoms?

The main way the disease spreads is through respiratory droplets expelled by someone who is coughing. The risk of catching COVID-19 from someone with no symptoms at all is very low. However, many people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms. This is particularly true at the early stages of the disease. It is therefore possible to catch COVID-19 from someone who has, for example, just a mild cough and does not feel ill.  WHO is assessing ongoing research on the period of transmission of COVID-19 and will continue to share updated findings.

Can I catch COVID-19 from the feces of someone with the disease?

The risk of catching COVID-19 from the feces of an infected person appears to be low. While initial investigations suggest the virus may be present in feces in some cases, spread through this route is not a main feature of the outbreak. WHO is assessing ongoing research on the ways COVID-19 is spread and will continue to share new findings. Because this is a risk, however, it is another reason to clean hands regularly, after using the bathroom and before eating.

What can I do to protect myself and prevent the spread of disease?

Protection measures for everyone

Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. Many countries around the world have seen cases of COVID-19 and several have seen outbreaks. Authorities in China and some other countries have succeeded in slowing or stopping their outbreaks. However, the situation is unpredictable so check regularly for the latest news.

You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking some simple precautions:

• Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
  Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.
• Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
  Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
  Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
• Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
  Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.
• Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
  Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.

Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 hotspots (cities or local areas where COVID-19 is spreading widely). If possible, avoid traveling to places  – especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease.
Why? You have a higher chance of catching COVID-19 in one of these areas.

Protection measures for persons who are in or have recently visited (past 14 days) areas where COVID-19 is spreading

Follow the guidance outlined above (Protection measures for everyone)

Self-isolate by staying at home if you begin to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache, low grade fever (37.3 C or above) and slight runny nose, until you recover. If it is essential for you to have someone bring you supplies or to go out, e.g. to buy food, then wear a mask to avoid infecting other people.
Why? Avoiding contact with others and visits to medical facilities will allow these facilities to operate more effectively and help protect you and others from possible COVID-19 and other viruses.

If you develop fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice promptly as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. Call in advance and tell your provider of any recent travel or contact with travelers.
Why? Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also help to prevent possible spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.

How likely am I to catch COVID-19? The risk depends on where you  are – and more specifically, whether there is a COVID-19 outbreak unfolding there.For most people in most locations the risk of catching COVID-19 is still low. However, there are now places around the world (cities or areas) where the disease is spreading. For people living in, or visiting, these areas the risk of catching COVID-19 is higher. Governments and health authorities are taking vigorous action every time a new case of COVID-19 is identified. Be sure to comply with any local restrictions on travel, movement or large gatherings. Cooperating with disease control efforts will reduce your risk of catching or spreading COVID-19.COVID-19 outbreaks can be contained and transmission stopped, as has been shown in China and some other countries. Unfortunately, new outbreaks can emerge rapidly. It’s important to be aware of the situation where you are or intend to go. WHO publishes daily updates on the COVID-19 situation worldwide.You can see these at https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports/

Should I worry about COVID-19?

Illness due to COVID-19 infection is generally mild, especially for children and young adults. However, it can cause serious illness: about 1 in every 5 people who catch it need hospital care. It is therefore quite normal for people to worry about how the COVID-19 outbreak will affect them and their loved ones.We can channel our concerns into actions to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities. First and foremost among these actions is regular and thorough hand-washing and good respiratory hygiene. Secondly, keep informed and follow the advice of the local health authorities including any restrictions put in place on travel, movement and gatherings.Learn more about how to protect yourself at https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

Who is at risk of developing severe illness?

While we are still learning about how COVID-2019 affects people, older persons and persons with pre-existing medical conditions (such as high blood pressure, heart disease, lung disease, cancer or diabetes)  appear to develop serious illness more often than others.

Are antibiotics effective in preventing or treating the COVID-19?

No. Antibiotics do not work against viruses, they only work on bacterial infections. COVID-19 is caused by a virus, so antibiotics do not work. Antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment of COVID-19. They should only be used as directed by a physician to treat a bacterial infection.

Are there any medicines or therapies that can prevent or cure COVID-19?

While some western, traditional or home remedies may provide comfort and alleviate symptoms of COVID-19, there is no evidence that current medicine can prevent or cure the disease. WHO does not recommend self-medication with any medicines, including antibiotics, as a prevention or cure for COVID-19. However, there are several ongoing clinical trials that include both western and traditional medicines. WHO will continue to provide updated information as soon as clinical findings are available.

Is there a vaccine, drug or treatment for COVID-19?

Not yet. To date, there is no vaccine and no specific antiviral medicine to prevent or treat COVID-2019. However, those affected should receive care to relieve symptoms. People with serious illness should be hospitalized. Most patients recover thanks to supportive care.Possible vaccines and some specific drug treatments are under investigation. They are being tested through clinical trials. WHO is coordinating efforts to develop vaccines and medicines to prevent and treat COVID-19.The most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to frequently clean your hands, cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue, and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from people who are coughing or sneezing. (See Basic protective measures against the new coronavirus).

Is COVID-19 the same as SARS?

No. The virus that causes COVID-19 and the one that caused the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 are related to each other genetically, but the diseases they cause are quite different.SARS was more deadly but much less infectious than COVID-19. There have been no outbreaks of SARS anywhere in the world since 2003.

Should I wear a mask to protect myself?

Only wear a mask if you are ill with COVID-19 symptoms (especially coughing) or looking after someone who may have COVID-19. Disposable face mask can only be used once. If you are not ill or looking after someone who is ill then you are wasting a mask. There is a world-wide shortage of masks, so WHO urges people to use masks wisely.WHO advises rational use of medical masks to avoid unnecessary wastage of precious resources and mis-use of masks  (see Advice on the use of masks).The most effective ways to protect yourself and others against COVID-19 are to frequently clean your hands, cover your cough with the bend of elbow or tissue and maintain a distance of at least 1 meter (3 feet) from people who are coughing or sneezing. See basic protective measures against the new coronavirus for more information.

How to put on, use, take off and dispose of a mask?

Remember, a mask should only be used by health workers, care takers, and individuals with respiratory symptoms, such as fever and cough.

Before touching the mask, clean hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water

Take the mask and inspect it for tears or holes.

Orient which side is the top side (where the metal strip is).

Ensure the proper side of the mask faces outwards (the coloured side).

Place the mask to your face. Pinch the metal strip or stiff edge of the mask so it moulds to the shape of your nose.

Pull down the mask’s bottom so it covers your mouth and your chin.

After use, take off the mask; remove the elastic loops from behind the ears while keeping the mask away from your face and clothes, to avoid touching potentially contaminated surfaces of the mask.

Discard the mask in a closed bin immediately after use.

Perform hand hygiene after touching or discarding the mask – Use alcohol-based hand rub or, if visibly soiled, wash your hands with soap and water.WHO is continuously monitoring and responding to this outbreak. This Q&A will be updated as more is known about COVID-19, how it spreads and how it is affecting people worldwide. For more information, check back regularly on WHO’s coronavirus pages. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

News Source : https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

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Stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through your national and local public health authority. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following:

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In the search for a treatment for COVID-19 disease, researchers have been targeting specific behaviours of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) that causes the disease. While the virus itself is still being studied, the hunt for a treatment is based on what is known so far about the way it infects humans.

So, how does it infect someone?

It begins with the “spike” that gives coronaviruses their name. A coronavirus is surrounded by a fatty outer layer (“envelope”) and on the surface of this layer is the “corona” (crown) of spikes made of protein.

Follow Coronavirus news LIVE UPDATES

On the surface of human cells is an enzyme called ACE2, which acts as the receptor that enables SARS-CoV2 to launch its attack. The virus’s spike protein binds to the receptor, then fuses with the cell surface, and releases its genetic material (RNA in the case of SARS-CoV2) into the cell. The coronavirus that causes SARS, called SARS-CoV, uses the same ACE2 receptor to invade a cell.

Once inside, the virus replicates itself by using the cell’s molecular mechanism. All these stages involve various interactions between virus proteins and human proteins. Any treatment being developed or researched will look to inhibit these activities at one stage or the other.

Which treatment specifically tries to inhibit which activity?

The Solidarity trials, a World Health Organization (WHO) initiative that includes India, are investigating four lines of treatment using existing drugs. Separately, various research institutions are studying the virus’s functioning in the hope that the knowledge will lead to repurposing of existing drugs or development of new ones.

The Solidarity experiments are trying to find out if virus activity can be inhibited:

At reception stage: This is the target of trials with a combination of anti-malarial drugs chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine. Part of the hope comes from a 2005 study in the Virology Journal that studied chloroquine’s role against the SARS virus. It found chloroquine prevented that virus’s ability to attach itself to the ACE2 receptors. However, because chloroquine causes severe side effects, the current trials are being done with a combination with its less toxic derivative hydroxychloroquine.

The effect of these two drugs on SARS-CoV2 is still being studied around the world.

At cell entry stage: The chloroquine-hydroxychloroquine combination comes into play again. Many viruses enter a cell by acidifying compartments within the membrane at the cell surface, and then breaching the membrane itself. When chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine enter the compartment, it loses part of its acidity; the aim of the trials is to hinder the virus at this stage.

At replication stage: A number of trials are looking at obstructing replication at a key step during which the virus uses enzymes to break down proteins, leading to a chain of new viruses. The drug lopinavir, for example, has been known to inhibit the enzyme used by HIV to split proteins, but because lopinavir itself tends to break down in the human body, it is used in combination with ritonavir, which allows it to last longer. One set of Solidarity trials is looking at this combination of anti-HIV drugs, and another is investigating lopinavir-ritonavir combined with interferon-beta, a molecule that regulates inflammation in the body.

Experts Explain: Why it is critical to cocoon the elderly and the vulnerable

The Solidarity trials with the drug remdesivir, originally created to fight the Ebola virus, will seek to inhibit the novel coronavirus by targeting the action of a key enzyme that facilitates its replication. Previous studies had shown it effective in animals infected with SARS and MERS coronaviruses. This year, a study published in Cell Research reported that a combination of chloroquine and remdesivir can hinder replication of SARS-CoV2 in cultured cells.

What are other studies looking at?

Some studies are looking at the structure of the virus, while others are investigating its behaviour as a potential target for future drugs. For example:

Structure: At the Max Planck Institute in Germany, researchers identified the spike protein as not only the sharpest weapon of the virus but also its Achilles’ heel. Antibodies can recognise the spike protein, bind to it, and mark it as a target for immune cells. However, the virus also has a sugar coat that hides parts of its spike proteins from the immune cells.

Therefore, the researchers are analysing the sugar shield, and trying to calculate how the spike proteins move on the surface of the virus and how they change their shape. Using supercomputers, the researchers hope to identify binding sites for antibodies, and plan to compare these with the binding properties of existing drugs, and thus identify ingredients that can block the spike protein. “Of course, repurposing drugs that are already on the market is much faster than finding new active ingredients and testing them in lengthy clinical trials,” Gerhard Hummer, Director at the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, said in a statement.

Behaviour: In a study last week in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, researchers from the Universities of Bologna and Catanzaro (Italy) mapped the interactions between virus proteins and human proteins. When the virus attacks, the body responds by activating certain proteins and deactivating others to hinder it. At the same time, the body has other mechanisms that the virus exploits. These were what the researchers mapped, identifying specific proteins.

“This valuable information about the effects of the new coronavirus on the proteins of human cells may prove to be fundamental in redirecting the development of drug therapies, since common antiviral treatments seem to be unsuccessful,” lead author Federico M Giorgi of the University of Bologna said in a statement.

Beyond the Solidarity trials, are there studies on specific drugs?

Reports are emerging from time to time. In Nature last week, an international collaboration led by researchers at ShanghaiTech University reported six possible drug candidates, which they identified after testing more than 10,000 compounds. The project targeted SARS-CoV2’s main enzyme for splitting proteins, Mpro, which plays a key role in mediating viral replication. Researchers added drugs directly to the enzyme or to cell cultures growing the virus, assessing how much of each compound is required to stop the enzyme. Six drugs appeared to be effective, they reported.

News Source : https://indianexpress.com/

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The vaccine, which was tested on mice by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, generated the antibodies in quantities thought to be enough to “neutralise” the virus within two weeks of injection.

The study’s authors are now set to apply to the US Food and Drug Administration for investigational new drug approval ahead of phase one human clinical trials planned to start in the next few months.

Scientists across the globe are racing to develop a vaccine to protect against coronavirus, which has infected more than a million people worldwide and claimed 50,000 lives.

The first human trial of a vaccine began at a lab in Seattle last month after a team of US researchers skipped animal testing, which is used to establish effectiveness and safety.

Dozens of other teams around the world have potential vaccines in development.

But the Pittsburgh research is the first study on a Covid-19 vaccine candidate to be published after review from fellow scientists at outside institutions.

The scientists were able to act quickly because they had already laid the groundwork during earlier epidemics of coronaviruses: Sars in 2003 and Mers in 2014.

“These two viruses, which are closely related to [Covid-19], teach us that a particular protein, called a spike protein, is important for inducing immunity against the virus. We knew exactly where to fight this new virus,” said Andrea Gambotto, associate professor of surgery at the Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

The vaccine candidate, which the authors are calling PittCoVacc, uses lab-made pieces of viral protein to build immunity in the same way as a flu jab.

To increase potency, the researchers also used a new drug delivery approach involving of a fingertip-sized patch of 400 tiny microneedles that inject the spike protein pieces into the skin, where the immune reaction is strongest. The patch is stuck on like a plaster and the needles – which are made entirely of sugar and the protein pieces – simply dissolve into the skin.

“We developed this to build on the original scratch method used to deliver the smallpox vaccine to the skin, but as a high-tech version that is more efficient and reproducible patient to patient,” said study co-author Louis Falo, professor and chair of dermatology. “And it’s actually pretty painless – it feels kind of like Velcro.”
The vaccine is delivered into the skin through a fingertip-sized patch of microscopic needles (University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre)
View photos
The vaccine is delivered into the skin through a fingertip-sized patch of microscopic needles (University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre)

The researchers said their system could be scaled up to produce the protein on an industrial scale. Hundreds of millions of doses will need to be produced worldwide.

Once manufactured, PittCoVacc can sit at room temperature until it is needed, eliminating the need for refrigeration during transport or storage, the researchers said.

“For most vaccines, you don’t need to address scalability to begin with,” Prof Gambotto said. “But when you try to develop a vaccine quickly against a pandemic that’s the first requirement.”

When tested in mice, PittCoVacc generated a surge of antibodies against Covid-19 within two weeks of the microneedle prick.

The results have not yet been tracked in the long term, but the mice who were given the Pittsburgh researchers’ Mers vaccine candidate developed enough antibodies to neutralise the virus for at least a year. The antibody levels of the rodents vaccinated against Covid-19 “seem to be following the same trend,” according to the researchers.

Coronavirus: Potential vaccine generates enough antibodies to fight off virus, first peer-reviewed study suggests

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The coronavirus is said to have emerged at a seafood and live animal market in the Chinese city Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, at the end of last year.

It has since spread into more than 170 countries across every inhabited continent, with over 787,000 confirmed cases since the outbreak was identified. In severe incidences, the virus can lead to a respiratory disease called COVID-19.

To stem the spread of transmission, officials around the world have introduced enforcements that only allow residents to leave their home to buy essentials or for exercise, with socialising and non-essential travel as good as banned.

Concerned many may struggle to stick to the draconian measures, scientists from King’s College London analysed 14 studies on adherence to quarantines during an infectious outbreak.

They found people were more likely to stick to a lockdown if they had “knowledge” about the infection, understood the benefits of quarantining and had the supplies required for a prolonged stay indoors.

Boris Johnson has introduced unprecedented enforcements that only allow Britons to leave their home for “very limited purposes”, like “shopping for basic necessities as infrequently as possible”.

Anyone with the virus’s tell-tale fever or cough has been told to isolate entirely for seven days, with other members of their household doing the same for two weeks.

Letters have also gone out to 1.5 million vulnerable Britons, like those with severe asthma or blood cancer, telling them to stay indoors for the next three months.

Results suggest people are more likely to stick to a quarantine if they understand its “procedure” and the risks of the infection it is protecting them from.

When five schools in Australia were closed during a flu outbreak, a lack of clear quarantine instructions led to some “inventing their own rules” based on what they deemed an “acceptable degree of contact”.

A village affected by Ebola in west Africa became more compliant when they began to notice the spread of the infection was slowing.

Residents of several Senegalese villages also stuck to a quarantine against Ebola when they learnt asymptomatic patients can spread the disease.

Making quarantine a “social norm” was also found to be effective.

For example, people quarantined in parts of Canada during the outbreak of fellow coronavirus strain severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) in 2002/3 were more likely to adhere to it if they were pressured to do so by their peers.

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A 67-year-old man from Haryana who had tested positive for COVID-19 lost his life in Chandigarh today, ANI reported quoting Ambala Chief Medical Officer. A 52-year-old patient who had a travel history to Sri Lanka also lost his life in Vadodara.

• The Wimbledon tennis tournament has been cancelled for the first time since World War Two, due to the coronavirus pandemic
• More than 45,000 people have been killed in the novel coronavirus pandemic as the disease barrels across the globe
• Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has promised Rs 1 crore to kin of healthcare workers who lose their lives “while serving COVID-19 patients”
• COVID-19 death toll in Maharashtra has risen to 16, with total cases at 335, including 41 who have been discharged
• The number of deaths in US from coronavirus surpassed those reported by China, on Tuesday, according to Johns Hopkins University

85-Yr-Old Dies in Rajasthan, Suffered Co-Morbid Condition of Brain Stroke Paralysis

“One person (85-year-old) from Alwar who had tested positive for COVID-19 has unfortunately died. He had a co-morbid condition of brain stroke paralysis,” said Rohit Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Rajasthan Health Department, reported ANI.

Australian Scientists Start Testing Potential COVID-19 Vaccines

Scientists in Australia said on Thursday they have begun testing two potential vaccines for COVID-19 in “milestone” lab trials, reported PTI.

The scientists at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) said they are testing the COVID-19 vaccine candidates for efficacy.

NCC Issues Guidelines for Temporary Employment of Its Cadets to Ramp up Relief Efforts

National Cadet Corps (NCC) issues guidelines for temporary employment of its cadets to augment relief efforts & functioning of various agencies involved in battling coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of Defence stated.

Noida: 1 Held, Dozen Booked for Group Namaaz Despite COVID-19 Lockdown

One man was arrested and around a dozen people booked in Noida for allegedly gathering for a group namaaz in violation of lockdown restrictions imposed due to coronavirus, the Noida police said on Thursday.

The FIR was lodged under provisions including those of the National Disaster Management Act, 2005 and the Uttar Pradesh Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 after a video surfaced on social media on Wednesday evening purportedly showing the gathering on the terrace of a house for the prayer, the police said.

Lockdown: Teachers Roped in to Trace Migrant Workers in Guj

The Gujarat government has roped in primary school teachers to trace migrant workers and provide them free ration during the unprecedented lockdown in view of the coronavirus outbreak, reported PTI.

Teachers from government-run schools were called-in on Wednesday for door-to-door survey of villages to find the migrant workers there and inform about their whereabouts to the authorities concerned.

Sai Hospital, Saifee Hospital & More Sealed Due to Exposure to COVID-19 Patients

In Mumbai, Sai Hospital Chembur completely sealed and Saifee Hospital, Jaslok Hospital, Bhabha Hospital and Hinduja Hospital partially affected due to exposure to COVID-19 patients. (Visuals from Dharavi).

Here’s what COVID-19 actually does to your body

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The virus, to use its full title, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), causes respiratory illness. Symptoms range from a mild cough to acute pneumonia. COVID-19 affects the lungs, like the viruses SARS and MERS, but it can also have devastating effects on the rest of the body.

Much remains undiscovered about the virus, but experts are learning about how the virus enters the body, and what happens if you become infected.

To find out more, we spoke to Dr Greg Maguire, Fulbright-Fogarty Fellow at the National Institutes of Health, and author of Thinking and Eating For Two: The Science of Using Systems 1 and 2 Thinking to Nourish Self and Symbionts.
How does coronavirus enter the body?

Coronavirus can enter the body in several ways. In common to other respiratory viruses, the primary manner is through inhalation. If an infected person coughs or sneezes, the virus particles can remain in the air for some time in tiny droplets. When you breathe in through the mouth or nose, the virus enters your body.

Another less common way is through the eyes, nose, or mouth if you touch your face with contaminated hands.

The virus causes harm at the site where it enters the body. For many people, this means a stuffy or runny nose. With luck, your immune system can tackle the virus before it makes its way further into the respiratory system. If not, it passes into the lungs.
How your immune system responds

When any pathogen invades your body, your immune system jumps into action. The coronavirus looks like a sphere covered in spikes. Those spikes are surface proteins, and they are the reason why the virus can successfully invade the cells in your respiratory tract.

The cells in your lungs, arteries, heart, kidneys, and intestines have a protein on their surface called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Once the virus binds to these proteins, it uses them as a gateway into your cells.

‘Once the virus enters the body, it enters our cells through a two-step process. In the first stage, the spike proteins on the virus bind to ACE2 receptors located on host cells,’ explains Dr Maguire.

During the second stage of the process, the virus hijacks a special enzyme called a protease that speeds up the breakdown of protein. There are lots of different proteases, but the one that SARS-CoV-2 targets is called TMPRRS2.

Dr Maguire goes on to explain that ‘the spike proteins on the virus must also bind to a protease on the host cells, thought to include the protease TMPRRS2. Once this happens, the protease cleaves the spike protein on the virus in two places, allowing the virus to fuse with the host cell and deposit its RNA into the cells.’ Once it’s inside a cell, it can cause real damage.

RNA is viral genetic material. The virus uses the mechanisms inside your cell to replicate its RNA and make copies of itself. The process destroys cells and creates thousands of new viral particles that infect other cells in the respiratory tract.
Types of immunity

You have three types of immunity called passive, innate, and adaptive. Passive immunity is borrowed from another source, such as breast milk from mothers. It doesn’t play much of a part in immunity from COVID-19 for most of us.

The innate immune system includes skin, mucous membranes, and a generalised, initial immune cell response that your body uses to combat general invaders. It’s not as powerful as adaptive immunity.

Adaptive immunity is like a library of immune cells. As you go through life, you continually encounter pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. These microorganisms can cause disease. Your immune system builds a fighting force of specialised cells called antibodies that remember each pathogen.

Because SARS-CoV-2 is an entirely new or novel virus, your immune system doesn’t recognise it, and you don’t have an adaptive response at first.

Coronavirus: Why there have been so few deaths in Hong Kong

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A major cultural factor behind this is Hong Kong’s experience of the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak, in which 299 people died.

It meant members of the public and healthcare services remained on high alert for another infectious disease – and responded quickly when the COVID-19 outbreak began in China.

On the mainland, there have now been more than 82,000 confirmed cases and over 3,300 deaths.

Italy, meanwhile, has the highest death toll in the world, with more than 101,000 confirmed cases and over 11,000 deaths.

Despite this, the perception in Hong Kong is that its coronavirus figures are too high, with even more anger at a government already under fire amid last year’s protests about the region’s independence from China.

Thank you for giving us this good comment that Hong Kong coronavirus cases and deaths are low,” Dr Pierre Chan, a leading medical doctor and lawmaker, told Yahoo News UK. “But in Hong Kong, we don’t think so. We don’t think we are doing good.”

He does, however, concede: “When compared with other countries, we are not bad.”

Dr Chan, a member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council, explains how Hong Kong has kept its cases and deaths relatively low – but warns dangers still lie ahead.

Citizen action

“When there is something wrong in China,” Dr Chan says, “Hong Kong is in danger. We are all scared.”

Therefore, at the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, the people of Hong Kong were ready to take matters into their own hands.

Dr Chan explains: “Because we had a very painful experience with SARS in 2003, most of our citizens are very alert about these things. Whenever there is something wrong, we prepare ourselves.

“A survey found more than 97% of Hong Kong people use face masks to prevent themselves from droplets and the infection.

“We do it ourselves, no matter what the government says. In January, when the government said there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission, no one listened.

“The government also made no recommendation for face masks, [yet] 97% of our citizens wear face masks.”

Healthcare readiness

Again, because of SARS 17 years ago, Hong Kong’s healthcare system has been in a stronger position than other countries to react to COVID-19 in 2020.

Dr Chan, pointing out four doctors died during the SARS outbreak, says: “We have sky-high alertness for ourselves and patients.

“With coronavirus testing, in Hong Kong there are almost no restrictions. This is very important. We still have some criteria but it is not difficult.

“We still have rooms for isolation facilities. Whenever a patient has a confirmed or highly suspected case of coronavirus, all of them will be accommodated in a proper isolation ward.

“Because of SARS, we have trained 100 doctors specialised in infectious diseases or clinical microbiology and infection. In 2020, we have specialists on board.”

Source: https://in.news.yahoo.com/hong-kong-coronavirus-cases-deaths-105634996.html

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