is the solution
With the increasing number of people infected with the new Corona virus every day, every country tries to besiege the spread of the global epidemic with health education and adherence to precautionary and preventive measures, including Saudi Arabia, which has a total of 4,033 infections after recording 382 new infections today.
From the standpoint of spreading health awareness and education about the Corona pandemic, “Al-Citizen” newspaper has an interview with Professor Zaki bin Munawar Issa Omar, a consultant of medical viruses and director of the National Center for Disease Prevention and Control, “Weqaya” in Jazan region.
This is the text of the interview
What is the scientific difference between the strains of the Coronavirus (MERS, SARS, and Covid-19)?
Corona virus strains differ in the genetic sequence, and this sequence has certain characteristics So that it affects how the disease is transmitted and the extent of its severity, and this depends on the genetic sequence of each Coronavirus, and there is a type of Corona virus that affects 15% of cold cases.
And the death rate differs between them, as the death rate in Mers reached 34%, while the rate in SARS was (9-10%), and in the new Corona (Covid-19) it reached 4% globally, and in some countries such as Italy, the rate was higher than 4 %.
What are the sources of infection that cause transmission to humans?
The main source and origin of the transmission of infection to humans for all strains of the Coronavirus are bats, which are the reservoir for these viruses and the common factor between them, as SARS and Covid-19 come from bats, while MERS transmitted from bats to camels and then to humans.
What are the techniques used to conduct tests to detect Covid 19 infections?
The techniques currently used to examine corona samples are molecular polymerase (RT-PCR), which is the same techniques used in most countries of the world.
What are the symptoms that may appear on people with Covid 19 virus?
A high temperature, coughing, shortness of breath, and there are symptoms that may appear in some patients, such as diarrhea and vomiting.
What is the reason for the rapid spread of Covid 19 in the countries of the world, and has China succeeded in controlling the epidemic?
Because of the presence in crowded places, as well as air traffic, it helped in the rapid spread of this epidemic in most countries of the world.
China has succeeded in controlling the epidemic and restricting it significantly, by looking at the numbers of daily infections these days and earlier, as it used to monitor injuries in the hundreds every day and currently it is monitored in the dozens.
Why is there a 14-day quarantine, and is it enough?
The incubation period for people with Covid 19 infection ranges from two to 14 days, and may extend to 23 days, according to some new research and studies.
What is the expected time period for the virus to remain on surfaces?
The survival of the virus on surfaces, according to studies, ranges from hours to a few days, and there is an important factor in the survival of the virus for a longer time on surfaces, which is the temperature, and the duration of the virus’s survival varies for a longer period the lower the temperature and vice versa.
Does immunity or chronic disease have a role in recovery or death?
Immunity, chronic disease and aging have a major role in recovery and death, and given that Italy is the most European country with the number of elderly people and the infection rate among them reaches 70%, and the death rate for different age groups of people with Corona is 70% of them are elderly, and heart diseases and chronic diseases It has a negative role in the causes of death after transmission, while the percentage of children infected with corona infection is low, especially children under the age of 9 years are less likely to contract Corona.
Is using a muzzle and a glove important?
According to the advice and instructions of the Ministry of Health, the muzzle is used in certain cases, including the injured person, the health practitioner, and the facilities of the injured person.
The use of gloves is especially important when shopping and touching surfaces that are contaminated with the virus, including shopping carts and cash, and the glove must be disposed of by placing it in the waste basket after shopping, and then washing hands with soap and water.
Are there drugs that have effectiveness in treating Corona patients?
The malaria drug (hydroxychloroquine) has proven effective for treating patients with corona, and it is used in many countries, including Saudi Arabia, which use it in critical cases, according to the protocol of the Ministry of Health, while the anti-parasite drug Ivermectin is used in a narrow range and under studies and research.
Is there research and studies on the use of blood plasma for the recovered?
There are studies and experiments conducted in China for the use of blood plasma for people recovering from Corona to treat the injured, and there are no final results so far in the effectiveness of using plasma, and the Ministry of Health will conduct studies and research on the effectiveness of using blood plasma in treating the injured.
Are there research, studies and experiments to find a vaccine in Saudi Arabia?
There are studies and research carried out by several government agencies, including the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and King Abdulaziz University, which announced a few days ago that a research team was able to isolate the emerging corona virus, in preparation for research work to develop a vaccine for it.
What is the role of the National Center (prevention) towards Covid 19?
The National Center carries out a lot of work, most notably: the work of treatment policies and sample tests for corona patients that take place inside the Weqaya Center, and supervision of laboratories that conduct Corona tests and their readiness according to the approved specifications.
The center has a role in controlling epidemic and infectious diseases at the Kingdom''s level, including malaria, dengue fever, and others, in addition to the center''s disease control policies and weekly meetings with the Public Health Department and the municipality.
What are the requirements and precautions to prevent infection?
It is social distancing and staying at home, not leaving the house except for emergency cases, not being in crowded places, and not touching surfaces that may be contaminated with the virus.
The most powerful weapon to confront Corona is to stay at home In order to assist the Ministry of Health and government agencies in combating the Corona virus and not spreading it.
