Feature
COVID-19
Disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus
Novel coronavirus
Coronaviruses are viruses that circulate
among animals but some of them are
also known to affect humans.
Prevention
When visiting affected areas
Avoid contact
with sick people
The 2019 novel coronavirus
was identified in China at
the end of 2019 and is a new
strain that has not
previously been
seen in humans.
Wash your hands
with soap and water
If you develop cough,
use a medical face mask
Wherever you travel apply general hygiene rules
Symptoms
FEVER
COUGH
DIFFICULTY BREATHING
MUSCLE PAIN
TIREDNESS
VIA RESPIRATORY DROPLETS
2–14
days
estimated incubation period
ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china
Basic information about the virus, symptoms, prevention and transmission.
With consideration to the spatial layout of the cruise ship, the
proximity of infected passengers to others likely had a major
role in the spread of COVID-19.
As individuals move through the BE, there is direct
and indirect contact with the surfaces around them. Viral
particles can be directly deposited and resuspended due
to natural airflow patterns, mechanical airflow patterns,
or other sources of turbulence in the indoor environment
such as foot fall, walking, and thermal plumes from warm
human bodies. These resuspended viral particles can then
resettle back onto fomites. Whenever an individual makes
contact with a surface, there is an exchange of microbial
life, including a transfer of viruses from the individual to
the surface and vice-versa. Once infected, individuals
with COVID-19 shed viral particles before, during, and
after developing symptoms. These viral particles can then
settle onto abiotic objects in the BE and potentially serve
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Transmission
RACA Journal I May 2020
as reservoirs for viral transmission. Evidence suggests
that fomites can potentially be contaminated with SARS-
CoV-2 particles from infected individuals through bodily
secretions such as saliva, nasal fluid, contact with soiled
hands, and the settling of aerosolised viral particles and
large droplets spread via talking, sneezing, coughing, and
vomiting. A study on environmental contamination from
the MERS-CoV demonstrated that nearly every touchable
surface in a hospital housing MERS-CoV patients had been
contaminated with the virus, and a survey of a hospital room
with a quarantined COVID-19 patient demonstrated extensive
environmental contamination.
The knowledge of the transmission dynamics of COVID-19
is still currently developing, but based upon studies on
SARS-, MERS-CoV, preliminary data on SARSCoV-2,
and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
recommendations, it seems likely that SARS-CoV-2 can
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