Table of Contents
Where was the first known infection of COVID-19 reported?
The first known infections from SARS‐CoV‐2 were discovered in Wuhan, China. The original source of viral transmission to humans remains unclear, as does whether the virus became pathogenic before or after the spillover event.
How is the COVID-19 disease transmitted?
COVID-19 transmits when people breathe in air contaminated by droplets and small airborne particles containing the virus. The risk of breathing these in is highest when people are in close proximity, but they can be inhaled over longer distances, particularly indoors. Transmission can also occur if splashed or sprayed with contaminated fluids in the eyes, nose or mouth, and, rarely, via contaminated surfaces.
What is community transmission of COVID-19?
Community transmission is evidenced by the inability to relate confirmed cases through chains of transmission for a large number of cases, or by increasing positive tests through sentinel samples (routine systematic testing of respiratory samples from established laboratories).
Which is the highest age group for STD’s?
The rates of infection are highest among people ages 15 to 24, but the increase among older Americans was larger than for the rest of the population. The numbers were among the more than 2 million reported cases in all age groups for the three diseases in 2016, according to the CDC.
Why are infections an important risk factor for the elderly?
Certain infections are important risk factors for the elderly because the illnesses they cause reduced quality of life during the infection and are at times fatal.
Who is at higher risk of serious symptoms?
The risk of developing dangerous symptoms increases with age, with those who are age 85 and older at the highest risk of serious symptoms. In the U.S., about 80% of deaths from the disease have been in people age 65 and older. Risks are even higher for older people when they have other health conditions. Take all your medications as prescribed.
How is age related to risk of Ebola?
In a study of 27 Ebola-affected households after the Kikwit outbreak in 1995, children <18 years of age had lower risks of disease than adults, after adjustment for reported exposures ( 13 ). Assessing whether risk by age depends on exposure or susceptibility requires a comparison of exposures in persons with and without EVD.