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    • Coronavirus (COVID-19), An Infectious Threat

    Shane Serra • Mar 10, 2020

    Everyday more news emerges that the Coronavirus is a challenge warranting increased measures to prevent its impact. 

    Everyday more news emerges that the Coronavirus is a challenge warranting increased measures to prevent its impact. In the span of mere days, the incidence of reported cases has risen from a handful to thousands. Reported deaths have risen from none to many. The first reported cases in North America developed in mere days after China announced its problem. The defense against this virus is made all the more difficult due to the simple fact people who are infected with the virus are symptom free for days before the presentation of flu like symptoms. 

    This latter point is important as people suffer from the flu at this time of year. The viruses which cause the classic flu are different from the Coronavirus. The challenge is that medical professionals often do not know the difference until it is too late. It is because of this fact that increased measures are being implemented to protect the public.

    Coronaviruses:

    Coronaviruses cause diseases in mammals and birds that include diarrhea in cows and pigs, and upper respiratory disease in chickens. Coronaviruses can be spread from animal to human. We are now seeing human to human transmission. In humans, the virus causes respiratory tract infections that are often mild, but as recent history has documented, rare but potentially lethal respiratory infections also occur.

    The name "coronavirus" is derived from the Latin corona and the Greek "κορώνη" (korṓnē, “garland, wreath”), meaning crown or halo. This refers to the characteristic appearance of virions (the infective form of the virus) by electron microscopy, which have a fringe of large, bulbous surface projections creating an image reminiscent of a royal crown or of the solar corona. This morphology is created by the viral spike (S) peplomers, which are proteins that populate the surface of the virus and determine host tropism.
    Proteins that contribute to the overall structure of all coronaviruses are the spike (S), envelope (E), membrane (M) and nucleocapsid (N).

    Human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:

    Human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:
    • the air by coughing and sneezing
    • close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
    • touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands
    Handwashing with soap and water is still the standard of care to prevent illness caused by infections microorganisms. This measure relies on the person to protect him or herself from cross contamination caused by touching contaminated surfaces.

    Disinfection protocols are deployed to reduce risk in spaces where the viruses may be deposited by infected people, and then picked up by otherwise healthy individuals. There exist a myriad of disinfectant options available. They all work by poisoning microbes that are sitting on surfaces. They are effective, if, they are applied properly, in the right concentration, and are allowed to dwell of the target surface for an adequate amount of time. The problem remains though, that once the disinfectant dries it offers zero ongoing protection. A surface which has been disinfected over night, can be contaminated by the first person that comes into contact with it the next day.

    Clear Air Solutions’ friendly professionals are Certified Aegis Applicators.

    Schedule an appointment for your anti-bacterial treatment right away! Your Central Ontario contractor of choice for Aegis anti-bacterial treatment for the added insurance against bacteria, fungus and mould.

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