History of coronavirus

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The world has entered a state of a pandemic by the strain CoV, coronavirus. However, this has not been the first coronavirus incident but the third coronavirus pandemic. The coronavirus is a diverse family of viruses, ranging from different hosts such as bats and humans, with several species that can infect people. Coming from the same family, the various symptoms are very similar compared to the two previous outbreaks. Many have reported dry coughs, fever, tiredness, and difficulty breathing as a clear symptom but can be confused at times with the common cold.

The first recorded outbreak of the CoV strain happened in 2002 called the SARS outbreak, a respiratory illness that is caused by SARS-CoV lasting for only half a year. The outbreak had a total of 8098 infected and 774 recorded deaths. Compared to the coronavirus, SARS incubation period was only five days, while COVID-19’s incubation period is 14 days. Those with underlying medical conditions and people who are generally older or very young were more susceptible to the virus. Eventually, the virus was contained through home isolation and improvements in hygiene but with no specific treatment or vaccine created for SARS-CoV.

A decade later, another outbreak of the coronavirus occurred in the Middle East known as the MERS-Cov or the MERS outbreak. Those infected with MERS developed respiratory problems, similar to SARS. However, there were only less than 3,000 confirmed cases and 866 deaths in total. Similar to the SARS outbreak, the MERS outbreak was contained through isolation and improvements in hygiene, and no vaccine created.

Despite the two prior outbreaks, the World Health Organization has not developed any real method of fighting the CoV strain. What makes this strain deadlier is the incubation period and the symptoms. Because the time it took symptoms to show was longer than before, it allowed the virus to grow more rapidly within its host. The symptoms of COVID-19 are also very similar to influenza and other common diseases. With a slow distribution of COVID-19 tests, the virus was able to spread more quickly and quicker and more effectively. As of now, there are 70 vaccines being tested around the world right now according to the World Health Organization.

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