There are currently over 8 million cases of coronavirus worldwide, the world sees more than half of recoveries and a terrifying +440K deaths worldwide. In South Africa as of 17 June, there are over 80K confirmed cases and over 44K recoveries with 1674 deaths recorded.
Our immune systems differ individually as with health status, hence the virus affects people differently. Most people have recovered without hospitalization whereas some develop mild to moderate symptoms.
The most common symptoms are flu, dry cough, and tiredness. In some instances, you may feel pains, sore throat, diarrhea, headache, conjunctivitis, loss of taste or smell, and/or rash on the skin, discoloration of fingers or toes.
Serious symptoms include difficulty in breathing, chest pains, and loss of speech and/or movement.
- Those with serious symptoms are advised to seek immediate medical care
- Those with mild symptoms are advised to manage the symptoms at home.
Once infected, it may take you five (5) to six (6) days to start showing symptoms, however, it can take up to 14 days.
- What is a COVID-19 vaccine
- COVID-19 vaccine development
A COVID-19 vaccine is still hypothetical, currently, there isn’t a vaccine that completed clinical trials. There are currently 165 records of vaccine developments worldwide.
Vaccines are meant to fight a disease that the body’s immune system hasn’t come into contact with before, thus they prevent diseases.
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SARS-CoV-2 was first identified in December 2019 and the race for the vaccine as been ongoing. Out of all the vaccines in development, there have been a few that entered early phases of human trials from the end of April 2020.
Meanwhile, in the US, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has revoked an EUA (emergency use authorization) it previously issued for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, the COVID-19 treatments believed to have been effective.
- There isn’t a vaccine available
- Last updated on 17 June 2020
