Coronavirus has sparked worldwide panic after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a global health emergency. The virus peaked in February but evidence now suggests China could be overcoming the epidemic.
As of March 6, there have been 53,880 people who have recovered from COVID-19 in China, compared to 23,676 outstanding infections.
Mi Feng, a spokesperson for China’s National Health Commission, said at a recent briefing: “The rapid rising trend of virus cases in Wuhan has been controlled,” according to Reuters.
“Outbreaks in Hubei outside of Wuhan are curbed and provinces outside of Hubei are showing a positive trend.”
However, the virus is still picking up speed outside China, in places like Iran, Italy and South Korea.
As of March 6, 18,149 cases had been reported outside of China – with 206 of those in the UK.
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How many people have recovered from coronavirus?
Despite what seems to be a spiralling rate of infections, the symptoms of coronavirus are reasonably mild.
Dr Nasia Safdar told NBC News: “For most people, this will be the course. It will be like a cold.”
Dr Helen Wimalarathna, Lecturer in Health Sciences at the Open University, explained that while the virus has infected more people in comparison to SARS and MERS, the virus also looks less likely to cause fatalities.
She added: “The evidence so far suggests that COVID-19 is spread more easily than either SARS or MERS, but that the consequences of infection are less serious – so for most fit and healthy individuals a COVID-19 infection is likely to be something like a heavy cold.
“For a small proportion of infected individuals, somewhere between one percent and three percent of those with a confirmed case of the disease, the disease can be fatal.
“To put this into context, the case fatality of SARS and MERS were roughly 11 percent and 43 percent, respectively; while the case fatality of measles is around 15 percent.”
More than half of coronavirus patients worldwide have become better, according to the Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering.
The tracker shows that of the 106,371 confirmed cases around the globe, 60,093 have recovered – that’s 56 percent of all patients.
So far, at least 15 people with confirmed coronavirus infections in the United States are said to have made full recoveries.
Is there a treatment available for coronavirus?
There is currently no treatment for this new coronavirus.
A report from Harvard University read: “Treatment is supportive, which means giving fluids, medicine to reduce fever, and, in severe cases, supplemental oxygen.
“People who become critically ill from COVID-19 may need a respirator to help them breathe.”
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“Bacterial infection can complicate this viral infection. Patients may require antibiotics in cases of bacterial pneumonia as well as COVID-19.
“Antiviral treatments used for HIV and other compounds are being investigated.
“There’s no evidence that supplements, such as vitamin C, or probiotics will help speed recovery.”
However, the signs suggest many people may have had mild cases of the virus and recovered without special treatment.
Compared to SARS and MERS, the risk of serious illness or death is significantly lower.
The report added: “In terms of total deaths in the United States, influenza overwhelmingly causes more deaths today than COVID-19.”
How long does it take to recover from coronavirus?
The length of time can vary between patients, however.
One patient in California was released from isolation aving tested negative for the virus after nine days.
While another in Chicago was sent home after about a month.
Dr Safdar added: “That’s why these seemingly drastic measures are being taken.
“If you’re a positive COVID-19 case, you stay in isolation until testing shows that you are negative.
“Then you can be released into the community.”
What are the symptoms of coronavirus COVID-19?
According to the NHS, the symptoms of coronavirus are:
- a cough
- a high temperature
- shortness of breath
The World Health Organisation says about 80 percent of COVID-19 cases are mild.
Dr Robert Citronberg, director of infectious diseases with Advocate Aurora Health said: “It’s reassuring to know that the majority of people who get this disease have no symptoms or mild symptoms.”
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