How COVID-19 transmits?

The virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through droplets generated when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or exhales. These droplets are too heavy to hang in the air, and quickly fall on floors or surfaces. You can be infected by breathing in the virus if you are within close proximity of someone who has COVID-19, or by touching a contaminated surface and then your eyes, nose or mouth.

How to keep ourselves safe from COVID-19?

There are three simple ways you can practice and save yourself from getting sick with corona virus:

1. Use mask all the time when you are out of home.
2. Frequently wash your hands with water and soap or with hand sanitizer
3. Keep physical distance of two meters
4. Vaccinate yourselves

Recent development:

You can find the Afghanistan’s COVID-19 data dashboard here

People infected by the novel coronavirus can have symptoms that range from mild to deadly. Now, two new analyses suggest that some life-threatening cases can be traced to weak spots in patients’ immune systems.

At least 3.5 percent of study patients with severe COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, have mutations in genes involved in antiviral defense. And at least 10 percent of patients with severe disease create “auto-antibodies” that attack the immune system, instead of fighting the virus. The results can be find in two research papers that published in Science journal.

Afghanistan conducted seroprevalence survey to estimated how many Afghans had been exposed to SARS-CoV-2 virus. The results shows that 31% Afghans had antibody in their blood test against SARS-CoV-2 virus. There are similair studies in the rest of the world: 1) Long-term consequences of COVID-19: research needs, 2) Viral presence and immunopathology in patients with lethal COVID-19: a prospective autopsy cohort study, 3) Why children are less likely to develop serious COVID-19 disease compared to adults? for more read the study in this regard here.

Role of Hydroxy Choloroquine on COVID-19: Researchers Say Hydroxychloroquine Shows No Benefit In Reducing Coronavirus Infections Among Healthcare Workers. Also, read at Reuters and MedPage Today.

Long term consequences of COVID-19 on health: There are some evidences indicating that COVID-19 has long term consequences of health particularly on lung, heart etc: 1) Long-term consequences of COVID-19: research needs, 2)

Strategies to combat COVID-19: 1) Use of mask: why we must continue wearing masks and social distancing? you can find very useful information about mask use and social distancing in IHME. Also, there is an interesting piece of writing in Washington Post.

The acute loss of smell and or taste is strong indication of COVID-19. For more details read the article published in PLOS Medicine.

The FDA has issued emergency authorization of new cartridge that can detect four viruses: SARS-CoV-2, Flu A, Flu B and RSV Combination Test using GeneXpert technology. This test can take only 25 minutes. Afghanistan has around 80 GeneXpert machines of four module that located in all provinces and is an opportunity to use it for COVID-19 diagnosis.

Training related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is available through the TRAIN Learning Network, that aggregates training opportunities for public health, healthcare, and preparedness professionals from thousands of training providers. This includes training from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and other organizations.  The Stanford university is providing free course on COVID-19 for health care workers. You can register and take this free course by clicking here.