Coronavirus: Is There Need for Panic?

We take a look at coronavirus and its spread across the world, with focus on South East Asia and Northeast India

With origins in Wuhan, the coronavirus has managed to spread to almost all countries across the globe. The number of confirmed cases and deaths are rising on a daily basis, which is leading to public anxiety. People around the world have started to limit venturing outside their homes, wear face masks to crowded places and load up on hand sanitizers. While the situation does look grim, we take a look whether there is any need for panic, and what preventive measures can be taken to avoid contracting the virus.

Keep Coronavirus at Bay

• Wash hands regularly or use an alcohol-based sanitizer

• Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms

• Do not touch your eyes, ears or mouth when outside

• Limit visits to heavily crowded areas

• Avoid travelling to affected countries whenever possible

Understanding the Virus

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. Coronaviruses are zoonotic, which means they are transmitted between animals and people.