The entire UK is going through a rough patch with the Corona outbreak and London is no exception. The epidemic is spreading fast in spite of stringent measures raising the toll every day. In this situation, doctors at a private GP service located at Harley Street share some crucial facts about this potentially life-threatening endemic medical condition.

What is Corona virus?

Corona is a virus that causes severe medical conditions in people. It mostly affects individuals with weak immune system and those having long-term chronic health conditions like high blood sugar, lung disease or cancer.  Medically, it is called COVID-19.

Signs and symptoms of Corona

 COVID-19 symptoms include the following:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Other flu-like symptoms

COVID-19 current risk level in the UK

Considering the global condition with the Corona outbreak, the UK health authorities have been put on high alert. We are working in close collaboration with the international medical fraternity including the World Health Organisation (WHO) to control the epidemic from entering into the country. The government is fully prepared to tackle every eventuality.

Number of Corona cases in the UK

According to the latest update received on 13 March 2020 at 9 AM, 32,771 people all over the UK have been tested, out of which 31973 were tested negative and 798 were confirmed positive for the Corona.

Unfortunately, among the 798 who were tested positive of Corona, 10 have succumbed to the viral infection.

The patients are getting specialist NHS care. Every tried and tested procedure to control infections has already been pressed into service. However, every adult individual is expected to take optimum precaution to stay safe from the viral infection. Keep a watch on your kids’ activities to help them stay safe as well.

How Corona virus spreads

Corona is a new illness and so, very little information is known about it to date. It is yet to be explored exactly how the virus spreads. It is assumed that COVID-19 spreads just like other viruses – through droplets of an infected person’s sneeze or cough. When 0unaffected people nearby inhale those contaminated droplets, they will get affected.

The time for which a respiratory virus survives depends on certain factors like:

• The surface on which the virus is present.
• Whether the surface to exposed to natural light.
• Humidity and temperature differences.
• Proper usage of cleaning products.

The level of infectious virus present on any contaminated surface decreases significantly within 24 hours. It is assumed that COVID-19 is no exception.

Can Corona survive on cargo that travelled from an affected zone?

Although this is a very valid question in the present circumstance, no evidence is available yet to say you may transmit the disease through receiving posts or parcels from China.

Reduce your risk of catching Corona infection

• Carry a tissue every time wherever you go and catch your cough and sneeze in them. Then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands or use a sanitiser.
• Wash your hands more often than usual either using soap and water or a sanitiser, especially when you reach home from work, handling food or eating and after sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose.
• Avoid close contact with individuals who are unwell.
• Avoid touching your mouth, eyes or nose without washing your hands.

Corona and hand sanitiser

The combination of soap and water is the best way to wash your hands to stay protected from the COVID-19 outbreak. If soap and water are unavailable and your hands seem to be clean, sanitiser gels can be used. But proper hand washing must be your first choice.

COVID-19 and handshakes

Considering the current situation, it is a good idea that people should limit their social contact with each other. However, it is more vital at this stage that people practice good hand and respiratory hygiene.

Corona virus and face masks

Face masks are very effective in clinical environment, like hospitals. However, there is a very little evidence of their effectiveness beyond clinical environment. These masks must be worn properly, changed frequently and disposed safely to make the necessary impact.

Corona virus cases are reported from my area – do I have more risk?

A Corona virus patient when treated in isolation does not put others at risk. At the same time, it is also crucial to keep a tab on people who a patient had close contact with in the recent past. Those contacts are traced out to give the necessary information. Medical teams do follow up with those individuals on a daily basis. Thus, if they fall unwell, the necessary treatment gets started promptly.

Self-isolation and COVID-19

Self-isolation is being advised to individuals who show no symptoms, but have recently travelled abroad to a high risk zone. If you have been asked to self-isolate, then do not delay reporting any cough, shortness of breath or fever to the NHS helpline 111. You can also contact your healthcare expert to learn about what you should do next.

More on Corona self-isolation

If you have been asked to self-isolate for 2 weeks, it is safe for your friends and family to drop you off food. You can also order online or over the phone through online shopping deliveries and takeaway services. But it’s important to tell the delivery person to leave the items outside. If you have to go out to carry out vital errands that involve going out of home like dropping kids to school or buying medicines from the pharmacy, kindly request your family members or friends to stand in for you.

Tests for Corona virus

The UK is one of the few nations that have assured testing standards for Corona virus. When an individual is suspected with COVID-19, samples are collected from his or her nose, throat and deeper respiratory tract, which are then sent to an appropriate clinical lab for testing. The results are then obtained anywhere between 24 and 48 hours.

Private GPs London is a renowned private clinic located at Harley Street. The information discussed above has been provided by our qualified and experienced doctors. Corona is preventable, provided you are careful and conscious. Follow the tips discussed above to stay safe in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.