Coronavirus has less mortality rate than SARS, MERS: Dr Tabassum

KARACHI: The World Health Organization has confirmed that the global death rate of the new coronavirus is less than three percent. The Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) id deadlier but does not transmits easily.

These views were expressed by the Dean, Faculty of Science, University of Karachi, Professor Dr Tabassum Mahboob on Wednesday.

The Covid-19 which was first reported in Wuhan, China has now spread in more than 67 countries and the percentage of recovered persons from this disease is more than 50 percent which is a good sign as it is helpful in breaking the myth that Covid-19 would kill every infected person.

There are seven different types of coronavirus which have been discovered so far while the Covid-19 is the latest disease which has claimed more than 3100 lives around the world to date.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome has killed 774 people while Middle East Respiratory Syndrome has killed around 858 persons in the past and as compared to these two coronaviruses the Covid-19 mortality is low.

In Pakistan, five people have been reported confirmed as the Covid-19 cases till to date and all of them are stable and recovering.

She was speaking at an awareness session on Coronavirus which was held at the Aiwan-e-Liaquat, Girls Hostel, University of Karachi. Dr. A. Q. Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering University of Karachi and Pakistan Biological Safety Association had arranged the awareness session.

The meritorious professor Dr Tabassum Mahboob briefed the audience that the patients had recently traveled to Iran where they got infected with the virus. She shared that at least 77 people have died from the virus, while there are over 2, 300 confirmed cases.

“To counter this we have to take precautionary measures. We do not be panic with this situation as the mortality rate reported in the world is around three percent in patients infected with Covid-19.”

She advised that the only thing that we need to do is to prepare ourselves for bearing any unavoidable situations, and must spread awareness on coronavirus disease by sharing facts not rumors about the Covid-19.

She said that Coronavirus is a type of virus that typically affects the respiratory tract and is associated with the symptoms of common cold, fever, cough, headache, tiredness, and difficulty in breathing.

These symptoms are fairly common to many other illnesses such as cold and flu, it does not necessarily mean you have infected with Coronavirus.

Professor Dr Tabassum Mahboob informed the audience that to protect yourself and others from sickness, seek medical attention if anyone with the known symptoms appears.

It spread via droplet of saliva/mucous from coughs/sneezes/nasal drip, enters in air and contaminates it, touches of close proximity to the carrier and infected surfaces, and through body fluids (feces, urine, and sexual fluids) flushes it becomes aerosolized.

She indicated that recovery from coronavirus depends on the strength of the immune system and many of those who have died in China were already of weak immunity or immune is compromised.

Children and those below the age of 65 are at a lower risk. It is also observed that countries that have more prevalence of the disease have a colder climate.

She advised that the best way to prevent Covid-19 is to avoid being exposed to the virus by maintaining social distance from people who are sneezing or coughing, as you can breathe in droplets, and practicing respiratory hygiene includes proper hands washing with soap or sanitizers.

Cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze with a flexed elbow, use disposable tissue and dispose of it properly; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth because contaminated hands can transfer virus in your body, eat properly cooked food, avoid unnecessary antibiotics and vaccines, sleep well, enjoy nature, boost the immune system, she added.

Meanwhile, Professor Dr Saima Saleem from KIBGE KU urged not to listen to rumors being circulated in the society and diffused them by sharing official and authentic data only and spreading precautionary measures which are approved by the WHO and other reputed medical experts and organizations.

“Not every case of flu is the symptom of the Covid-19. The screening of Covid-19 is possible with the help of special kits, which are not available in every hospital.

She said that affected persons are kept in the insulation for 14 to 20 days so that it could not affect other people. We should not spread panic regarding the Covid-19 and adopt precautionary measures against this disease.

She advised that a strong immune system that can be achieved by maintaining a healthy diet, lifestyle, and exercise, could help in strengthening and promoting a strong immune system and it would be affected against Covid-19. A healthy lifestyle is necessary against the Covid-19.

Earlier, the Provost Aiwan-e-Liaquat, Girls Hostel, University of Karachi, Professor Dr Samina Saeed shared that till March 03, 2020, more than 92, 000 people were diagnosed with Covid-19 and around 8, 000 persons are said to be in serious condition due to this latest virus.

She shared that after China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran are among the most affected countries and added that the majority of the affected people have been recovered from the Covid-19.