Some Information on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

March 22, 2020 EscInd

COVID-19 Resources

World Health Organization (WHO)
U.S. Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC)
California State Government & Department of Health (CDPH)
San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (SDC HHSA)
Escondido City

What is the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). People infected with the virus may show symptoms 2-14 days after exposure: common symptoms such as fever, tiredness, dry cough and shortness of breath. However, some may show no symptoms at all, especially during the early stage of the infection, and may still unknowingly spread the virus.

CDC’s Factsheet: What you need to know about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Business Insider’s Coronavirus symptoms compared with flu, common cold, and allergies
NPR’s Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus
Serious Eats’ Food Safety and Coronavirus: A Comprehensive Guide
The Verge’s Everything you need to know about the coronavirus
Visual Capitalist’s Visualizing the History of Pandemics (and comparing with the ongoing COVID-19)
Vox’s Coronavirus tips and symptoms: What everyone should know about Covid-19 and Preparing to shelter in place for coronavirus: A printable guide to what you need at home
Washington Post’s Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to “flatten the curve”

COVID-19 was first reported to WHO in Dec. 31, 2019, and it was classified as a global public health emergency by WHO on Jan. 30, 2020 and a pandemic on Mar. 11, 2020.

The 1st case in California (specifically Orange County) was reported on Jan. 25, 2020. In San Diego County, the 1st reported case was on Feb. 9, 2020 of an evacuee in federal quarantine, and the 1st reported case of a San Diego resident was a month later on Mar. 9, 2020. In Escondido, the 1st reported case was on Mar. 16, 2020.

California Governor issued a statewide stay-at-home (or shelter-in-place) order (except for essential needs) late afternoon on Mar. 19 effectively midnight until further notice.

As of Mar. 21, 2020, Escondido has 2 reported cases; San Diego County has 159 with 34 hospitalizations, and California has 1,224 with 23 COVID-19 related deaths. Approximately 25,200 tests had been conducted in California so far, but testing is still not meeting demands and limited to those who meet certain risk criteria.

How Do We Reduce Our Risks of Catching & Spreading COVID-19?

We can reduce our risks of contracting & spreading COVID-19 by practicing these protective measures outlined by WHO and CDPH:
1. Wash Your Hands: Wash your hands with soap and warm water regularly for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% ethyl & isopropyl alcohol. See The Verge’s How to make your own hand sanitizer or Wired’s if hand sanitizers are not available for purchases in your area.
2. Cover a Cough or Sneeze: Cover your cough or sneeze with your bent elbow, sleeve, or tissue. Dispose of tissue and wash your hands afterward.
3. Don’t Touch: Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth, especially with unwashed hands.
4. Disinfect: Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. If surfaces are dirty, clean them using detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. See How long does SARS-CoV-2 last outside the human body?
5. Keep Your Distance: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Keep at least 6 feet (2 metre) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
6. Stay Home: If you experience respiratory symptoms like a cough or fever, stay home and keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
7. Get Help: If you experience symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, fever, shortness of breath), call your health care provider or local health department before seeking care.

In addition, this study on Pre-Emptive Low Cost Social Distancing and Enhanced Hygiene Implemented before Local COVID-19 Transmission Could Decrease the Number and Severity of Cases has additional recommendations:

Ventilate Rooms: Increase ventilation rates in the home by opening windows or adjusting air
conditioning.
Wear A Face Mask: Wearing simple face masks if you’re feeling sick or when taking care of someone who is sick or, more generally, when you’re out in public. You can sew your own face mask with these tutorials: Tools of the Trade’s Mask tutorials, Calling all makers: Here’s a 1-page PDF facemask pattern, HKMask Manual (Unofficial) and Deaconess Health’s How to make a Face Mask.

In California, Governor Newsom issued a statewide stay-at-home (or shelter-in-place) order late afternoon on Mar. 19, 2020 effectively midnight until further notice. So we should stay at home unless going out for essential needs and if going outside:
* Maintain a social distance of 6 feet (2 meters)
* Avoid ~~gathering of 10 people or more~~ all gatherings

Lastly, some guidance from CDC for steps to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick and caring for someone at home.

Tracking the Spread of COVID-19 in San Diego County

SDC HHSA publishes a daily summary on their website of COVID19-cases in SDC since February 14, 2020. We’ll graph those data so we can visually see the growth and trends of COVID-19 in San Diego County (as far as we’re able to retroactively find the data as of Mar. 21st at any rate).