Journal - COVID-19 MATTERS
Content contribution from William (Pop) Braniff
As the situation develops more seriously day by day, and as I am in isolation, I have decided to record matters in a Journal. I have started this and include below a preliminary copy to illustrate what I have in mind. As it will eventually (hopefully) be of interest to all the family, I will record it under Three headings:INTERNATIONAL, NATIONAL, FAMILY.
Today, Friday 20th March 2020, I decided to keep a journal of the period, covering the international, national and family matters occurring during the Covid-19 outbreak.
HISTORY SO FAR
INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT
Extract; The origin, transmission and clinical therapies on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak - an update on the status.
“An acute respiratory disease, caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, previously known as 2019-nCoV), the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread throughout China and received worldwide attention. On 30 January 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the COVID-19 epidemic as a public health emergency of international concern. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2, since the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in 2002 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012, marked the third introduction of a highly pathogenic and large-scale epidemic coronavirus into the human population in the twenty-first century. As of 1 March 2020, a total of 87,137 confirmed cases globally, 79,968 confirmed in China and 7169 outside of China, with 2977 deaths (3.4%) had been reported by WHO. Meanwhile, several independent research groups have identified that SARS-CoV-2 belongs to β-coronavirus, with highly identical genome to bat coronavirus, pointing to bat as the natural host. The novel coronavirus uses the same receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as that for SARS-CoV, and mainly spreads through the respiratory tract. Importantly, increasing evidence showed sustained human-to-human transmission, along with many exported cases across the globe. The clinical symptoms of COVID-19 patients include fever, cough, fatigue and in a small population of patients appeared gastrointestinal infection symptoms. The elderly and people with underlying diseases are susceptible to infection and prone to serious outcomes, which may be associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and cytokine storm. Currently, there are few specific antiviral strategies, but several potent candidates of antivirals and repurposed drugs are under urgent investigation. In this review, we summarized the latest research progress of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical characteristics of COVID-19, and discussed the current treatment and scientific advancements to combat the epidemic novel coronavirus.”
End of Extract
Cases of Covid-19 first emerged in December 2019, when a mysterious illness was reported in Wuhan, China. The cause of the disease was soon confirmed as a new kind of coronavirus, and the infection soon spread to a number of countries around the world. On 11 February the World Health Organization announced that the official name would be covid-19, a shortened version of coronavirus disease 2019. The WHO refers to the specific virus that causes this disease as the covid-19 virus.
NATIONAL INVOLVEMENT
The 2019–20 coronavirus outbreak was confirmed to have spread to the United Kingdom on 31 January 2020 from China when the first two cases with the respiratory disease COVID-19, caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, were confirmed in Newcastle upon Tyne in a family of Chinese nationals staying in a hotel in York. On 12 January the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a new coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, who had initially come to the attention of the WHO on 31 December 2019. The UK subsequently developed a prototype specific laboratory test for the new disease. In response to the outbreak, Heathrow Airport received additional clinical support and tightened surveillance of the three direct flights that it received from Wuhan every week. The four UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) raised the UK risk level from low to moderate on 30 January, upon the WHOs announcement of the disease as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). As soon as cases appeared in the UK on 31 January a public health information campaign was launched to advise people how to lessen the risk of spreading the virus. Further cases in early February prompted the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, to introduce the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 statutory instrument. Guidance on infection prevention and control, how to detect and diagnose COVID-19, and daily updates, including advice to travellers have been published by the UK's Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Public Health England (PHE). In addition, the NHS set up COVID-19 drive-through screening centres at multiple hospitals. Chief Medical Adviser to the UK Government, Chris Whitty has explained a strategy to tackle the outbreak, based upon four aims: contain, delay, research and mitigate. The earliest documented transmission within the UK occurred on 28 February 2020; all of the cases detected previously had been infected abroad. By 1 March, cases had been detected in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Subsequently, Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled the Coronavirus Action Plan, and the government declared the coronavirus outbreak as a level 4 incident. On 11 March, the WHO declared the outbreak a pandemic. Other responses included some schools in England choosing to close. Some airlines announced a number of flight cancellations, and some online retailers have reported consumers placing unusually large orders. On 12 March, the UK risk level was raised from moderate to high. Four days later, following the experience in Italy, whose health system shares similar values and organisation as the NHS, and based on evidence including forecasting by epidemiologists at Imperial College London, the government advised on further measures on social distancing and advised people in the UK against non-essential; travel and contact with others, as well as suggesting people should avoid pubs, clubs and theatres, and work from home if possible. Pregnant women, people over the age of 70 and those with certain health conditions were urged to consider the advice; particularly important and would be asked to self-isolate. On 18 March, it was announced that the UK will close all schools. As of 19 March, after performing 56,221 tests, there have been 3,269 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom. 144 people in the UK with confirmed infection have died, and one further death has been confirmed in the British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands. Additionally, one British citizen died in the outbreak on the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT
Sunday 15th March: Darren set up the Flu network on Whatsapp. His aim was “As the virus has now reached Norfolk. Thought it a good idea to link up. Members would “ Check on each other etc. and when it gets to Yarmouth we can pool resources and do shopping for whoever needs help. Oh and to keep tabs on Bill and Barbara.”
Tuesday 17th March: The family decided that we (Mum and Dad), being in our eighties, should go into self Isolation at home (Flat 17 Esplanade Court, North Drive Great Yarmouth). We would be supplied with food etc. by our three local family members. We also decided to maintain safe distances from everyone else where possible.
As the situation develops more seriously day by day, and as I am in isolation, I have decided to record matters in a Journal. I have started this and include below a preliminary copy to illustrate what I have in mind. As it will eventually (hopefully) be of interest to all the family, I will record it under Three headings:INTERNATIONAL, NATIONAL, FAMILY.
Today, Friday 20th March 2020, I decided to keep a journal of the period, covering the international, national and family matters occurring during the Covid-19 outbreak.
HISTORY SO FAR
INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT
Extract; The origin, transmission and clinical therapies on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak - an update on the status.
“An acute respiratory disease, caused by a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, previously known as 2019-nCoV), the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread throughout China and received worldwide attention. On 30 January 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the COVID-19 epidemic as a public health emergency of international concern. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2, since the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) in 2002 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012, marked the third introduction of a highly pathogenic and large-scale epidemic coronavirus into the human population in the twenty-first century. As of 1 March 2020, a total of 87,137 confirmed cases globally, 79,968 confirmed in China and 7169 outside of China, with 2977 deaths (3.4%) had been reported by WHO. Meanwhile, several independent research groups have identified that SARS-CoV-2 belongs to β-coronavirus, with highly identical genome to bat coronavirus, pointing to bat as the natural host. The novel coronavirus uses the same receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as that for SARS-CoV, and mainly spreads through the respiratory tract. Importantly, increasing evidence showed sustained human-to-human transmission, along with many exported cases across the globe. The clinical symptoms of COVID-19 patients include fever, cough, fatigue and in a small population of patients appeared gastrointestinal infection symptoms. The elderly and people with underlying diseases are susceptible to infection and prone to serious outcomes, which may be associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and cytokine storm. Currently, there are few specific antiviral strategies, but several potent candidates of antivirals and repurposed drugs are under urgent investigation. In this review, we summarized the latest research progress of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical characteristics of COVID-19, and discussed the current treatment and scientific advancements to combat the epidemic novel coronavirus.”
End of Extract
Cases of Covid-19 first emerged in December 2019, when a mysterious illness was reported in Wuhan, China. The cause of the disease was soon confirmed as a new kind of coronavirus, and the infection soon spread to a number of countries around the world. On 11 February the World Health Organization announced that the official name would be covid-19, a shortened version of coronavirus disease 2019. The WHO refers to the specific virus that causes this disease as the covid-19 virus.
NATIONAL INVOLVEMENT
The 2019–20 coronavirus outbreak was confirmed to have spread to the United Kingdom on 31 January 2020 from China when the first two cases with the respiratory disease COVID-19, caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, were confirmed in Newcastle upon Tyne in a family of Chinese nationals staying in a hotel in York. On 12 January the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that a new coronavirus was the cause of a respiratory illness in a cluster of people in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, who had initially come to the attention of the WHO on 31 December 2019. The UK subsequently developed a prototype specific laboratory test for the new disease. In response to the outbreak, Heathrow Airport received additional clinical support and tightened surveillance of the three direct flights that it received from Wuhan every week. The four UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) raised the UK risk level from low to moderate on 30 January, upon the WHOs announcement of the disease as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). As soon as cases appeared in the UK on 31 January a public health information campaign was launched to advise people how to lessen the risk of spreading the virus. Further cases in early February prompted the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, to introduce the Health Protection (Coronavirus) Regulations 2020 statutory instrument. Guidance on infection prevention and control, how to detect and diagnose COVID-19, and daily updates, including advice to travellers have been published by the UK's Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Public Health England (PHE). In addition, the NHS set up COVID-19 drive-through screening centres at multiple hospitals. Chief Medical Adviser to the UK Government, Chris Whitty has explained a strategy to tackle the outbreak, based upon four aims: contain, delay, research and mitigate. The earliest documented transmission within the UK occurred on 28 February 2020; all of the cases detected previously had been infected abroad. By 1 March, cases had been detected in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Subsequently, Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled the Coronavirus Action Plan, and the government declared the coronavirus outbreak as a level 4 incident. On 11 March, the WHO declared the outbreak a pandemic. Other responses included some schools in England choosing to close. Some airlines announced a number of flight cancellations, and some online retailers have reported consumers placing unusually large orders. On 12 March, the UK risk level was raised from moderate to high. Four days later, following the experience in Italy, whose health system shares similar values and organisation as the NHS, and based on evidence including forecasting by epidemiologists at Imperial College London, the government advised on further measures on social distancing and advised people in the UK against non-essential; travel and contact with others, as well as suggesting people should avoid pubs, clubs and theatres, and work from home if possible. Pregnant women, people over the age of 70 and those with certain health conditions were urged to consider the advice; particularly important and would be asked to self-isolate. On 18 March, it was announced that the UK will close all schools. As of 19 March, after performing 56,221 tests, there have been 3,269 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom. 144 people in the UK with confirmed infection have died, and one further death has been confirmed in the British Overseas Territory of the Cayman Islands. Additionally, one British citizen died in the outbreak on the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
FAMILY INVOLVEMENT
Sunday 15th March: Darren set up the Flu network on Whatsapp. His aim was “As the virus has now reached Norfolk. Thought it a good idea to link up. Members would “ Check on each other etc. and when it gets to Yarmouth we can pool resources and do shopping for whoever needs help. Oh and to keep tabs on Bill and Barbara.”
Tuesday 17th March: The family decided that we (Mum and Dad), being in our eighties, should go into self Isolation at home (Flat 17 Esplanade Court, North Drive Great Yarmouth). We would be supplied with food etc. by our three local family members. We also decided to maintain safe distances from everyone else where possible.
posted by Mgybran at 11:05 pm
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