Thread by @ABC7Veronica

THREAD 🧵 #Coronavirus

1/ The World Health Organization (@WHO) recently sent 25 international experts from Asia, Europe, Africa & the US as part of a joint mission between WHO & China to study #COVID19.

Here is what they found… (based on studying cases in China for 9 days)

2/Most people infected with COVID-19 virus have mild disease and recover.

Of the cases studied in China…

- 80% are mild to moderate
- 13.8% are severe
- 6.1% are critical

3/ Those at highest risk for severe disease and death include…

- People over 60
- Those with underlying conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and cancer

4/ Mortality increases with age, with the highest mortality among people over 80 years (21.9%).

The number of people who have died, has reduced over time (Jan 1 to end of Feb).

The Joint Mission noted that the standard of care has evolved over the course of the outbreak.

5/ Cases in kids appear to be relatively rare and mild. COVID-19 cases (in China) for those 19 years and younger make up just 2.5% of total reported cases

A very small proportion of those under 19 have developed severe (2.5%) or critical disease (0.2%).

6/ In China, human-to-human transmission of COVID-19 virus is largely occurring in families.

COVID-19 is transmitted via droplets (coughing, sneezing) and fomites (objects like clothes, utensils, furniture) during close unprotected contact.

7/ Symptoms can range from no symptoms at all to severe pneumonia and death.

Typical signs and symptoms include: fever, dry cough, fatigue, sputum (mucus) production, shortness of breath, sore throat, headache, chills, nausea or vomiting, congestion, diarrhea.

8/ People with COVID-19 generally develop signs and symptoms, including mild respiratory symptoms and fever, on an average of 5-6 days after infection.

There is no known pre-existing immunity in humans, so everyone is assumed to be susceptible.

9/ Many of the healthcare workers in China who became sick, were infected when supplies and experience with the disease was lower. The report also suggests the healthcare workers were likely infected by family members rather than at hospitals.

10/ They said #China contained the sick quickly, and they don't think other countries are prepared to act as fast. They want people to be ready.

The virus is unique due to high transmissibility, substantial fatal outcomes in high-risk groups, & ability to cause huge disruption.

11/ You can read the full 40 page report by @WHO here ➡️bit.ly/2Igc8cG

The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with world public health.

12/ Visit abc7.com/coronavirus/ for tips on how to protect yourself.

I’ll have more at 11pm on @ABC7