Update on Covid-19 and SARS-CoV-2 Flashcards
What is the official name of the corona virus?
SARS-CoV-2
How is the inside and outside constructed for coronaviruses?
Coronaviruses are enveloped, +ss RNA and
helical capsid
Are coronaviruses rare and what is the main symptom?
No, they are common ”seasonal” coronaviruses
Usually mild, sometimes more severe, respiratory infections
How contagious is Covid-19 compare to SARS or MERS?
More contagious than SARS and MERS
Contagiousness during incubation period: highest around onset of symptoms
What is the morbidity and mortality of Covid-19?
Morbidity and mortality: still unclear, but probably 0.1-1% But not reliable to just look at the ratio between deaths and diagnoses (lot of unreported cases and deaths)
What can be said about SARS-CoV-2 transmission routes?
▪ Small droplets generated during coughing and sneezing, but not truly airborne
▪ Virus deposited on surfaces and objects (fomites) and then self inoculated
▪ Good hand hygiene decreases infection risk
The virus envelope contains lipids and is sensitive to solvents like soap, 70% alcohol, etc.
How old is SARS-CoV-2?
The last common ancestor of all the different genetic mutations of the virus goes back to late November 2019
Who are the most at risk for Covid-19 and why?
Confirmed cases are much higher in older populations because there is risk factors linked to it: cardiovascular factors, diabetes, etc.
Which seasons will the virus probably spread more?
Virus will probably spread more in winter times, not because of the weather but because people will be more indoors and close to each other
What is seroprevalence?
How many people have the antibodies against the virus
People who had antibodies against Covid-19 in summer, are they susceptible now?
Yes they are relatively also susceptible of having the virus again because the highest production of antibodies are a couple of weeks after the infection (because of the plasma B-cells), after that memory T-cell can still produce the antibodies but at a lower rate
Why do children appear to be less susceptible for Covid-19?
Younger children have a third of the risk of infection compare the the reference (young adults), this is possibly because they might have antibodies still active from a previous common cold infection, but they are not less exposed compare to others
What is herd immunity?
Enough people have immunity to stop virus spread
Through statistical calculations: 60% of the population needs immunity for herd immunity to apply
Is the second wave of Covid-19 deathlier?
The rate of death is much lower in the second wave: probably because much more people are getting tested now which increases the reported cases and statistically reduces the percentage of death
Is Covid-19 still mutating (controversial topic)?
Research show that the virus is mutating and becoming more contagious but not necessarily more deathly
Researchers are keeping track of the virus mutations in case an important mutations happens that changes how the virus acts
