Coronavirus Latin America Update: Colombia Records First Case Of Covid-19

Latin America woke up to a rather gnawing news last week—the first Coronavirus case was recorded by Columbia’s ministry of health.

The patient is a 19-year-old woman, is said to have contracted the respiratory illness on her way back from Milan, Italy. On March 7, Argentina recorded its first death in relation to Corona. A 64-year-old man breathed his last in Buenos Aires after succumbing to the virus-related disease. Incidentally, the first confirmed case in Argentina was that of a 43-year-old who was also on his way back from a two-week trip to Milan, Italy.

As per media reports, the carrier presented himself to the hospital in Buenos Aires, where he was quarantined. Passengers who traveled on the same flight were also called on for a detailed check.

The disease, which is spreading at a sporadic rate, comes with a series of symptoms—runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache, and a fever. The virus largely affects the elderly and young, particularly those with a weakened immune system. The transmission of the disease occurs when an individual comes into close contact with a patient’s secretions. Any touch—ranging from a sneeze to a handshake—can pose a potential danger. With no specific anti-viral treatment or vaccine having been discovered as yet, people from across the globe have taken a nightmare pill as researches remain clueless about the preventive and corrective measures. As of now, washing hands for at least 20 seconds, and covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze are strongly suggested. Experts suggest that a room humidifier and frequent hot showers should help to a great deal, while in the case of severe cases, timely measures must be adopted to receive support vital organs.

Experts also stress on immediate testing if the symptoms persist longer than usual. While the usual route followed is quarantining the patients tested positive; the process of Quarantining is usually set up for the incubation period –the time span during which people contracted the illness after exposure. The US National Institutes of Health is currently working on a vaccine, but it will take time until things get rolling in regards to clinical trials.