Thread by @DrDenaGrayson

🚨BREAKING: #China reports ≥15 new deaths from #coronavirus in 1 day, raising the death toll by 50% to 41.

China is building a *1000-bed hospital in #Wuhan in 10 days*, where local hospitals are "overwhelmed."

This is just the beginning...

@thespybrief
nytimes.com/2020/01/24/wor…

@thespybrief Having YEARS of experience developing an #Ebola treatment, I was concerned about this #CoronavirusOutbreak from the outset, because this #coronavirus strain is very contagious, causes severe illness, and NO treatments or vaccines are available.

@thespybrief Unlike H5N1 "bird flu" (which does not spread easily between people) or SARS (which was spread by only a handful of "super spreaders"), this #coronavirus DOES appear to spread easily between people, even after making the jump from an animal (this is not common).

@thespybrief In addition to being highly contagious, this novel #coronavirus can cause a SEVERE infection that can kill even healthy people. It's rare to see BOTH of these (bad) attributes in the same novel virus. Usually, it's one or the other.

@thespybrief One way experts judge how deadly a pathogen (virus, bacteria, etc) is by the "case-fatality rate," which is the # of deaths / # infected people.

It's WAY too early to know what this is, because it takes time for patients to succumb to the infection.

@thespybrief Thus far, the case-fatality rate appears to be ~4%...but its' WAY too early to know what it really is, due to spotty reporting (both of deaths and cases), and because patients are still sick and could die tomorrow, next week, etc., even if no new infections occur.

@thespybrief Per @CDCgov, "Early on, many of the patients in the outbreak in #Wuhan, #China reportedly had some link to a large seafood/animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread."

Now, many newly diagnosed patients have NO connection to the market, supporting human-human spread = BAD

@thespybrief @CDCgov I get asked: "How will I know if I have the #coronavirus?"

Answer: it's very hard to tell, because the symptoms are similar to having influenza -- anywhere on the spectrum from a very bad cold to severe pneumonia with respiratory compromise.

@thespybrief @CDCgov Although there are no specific treatments (medicines to combat the #coronavirus) or vaccines, excellent supportive care, such as IV fluids, intubation (on a "breathing machine"), can help support patients while their immune system battles (and hopefully, defeats) the infection.

@thespybrief @CDCgov In an "outbreak," local hospitals can get overwhelmed, and there aren't enough hospital beds, staff, ventilators (breathing machines).

This appears to be the case in #Wuhan, where authorities are working to build a 1000-bed (mobile) hospital in JUST 10 DAYS.🚨

This is ALARMING.

@thespybrief @CDCgov #China has a history of not accurately reporting outbreaks, so it's hard to know exactly what is happening, especially with no free press, internet, etc.

China's massive response is VERY telling and strongly suggests that the #CoronavirusOutbreak is VERY bad, especially in Wuhan

@thespybrief @CDCgov How can you protect yourself and others?

1. Avoid contact with people who are visibly ill (even loved ones)
2. Stay home if YOU are sick
3. Cover your nose/mouth with a tissue (not hand) when coughing/sneezing
4. Don't touch your face (difficult)
5. Wash your hands frequently

@thespybrief @CDCgov Right now, the risk appears low in the US, with only a few isolated cases. Unfortunately, I expect that this will change, as more cases arise here, especially with global travel and how readily this #coronavirus appears to spread (via droplets in the air).

#CoronavirusOutbreak

@thespybrief @CDCgov I will continue to provide commentary about the emerging #Coronavirus as news emerges over time.

In the tweet below, you will find links to excellent @WHO and @CDCgov websites that track the #CoronavirusOutbreak.

https://twitter.com/DrDenaGrayson/status/1220736284647444485?s=20