The novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a respiratory disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which originated from bats ( Guo et al., 2020) . This disease affects the cardiovascular structure, the brain, nose and, eyes on several levels, escalating morbidity in people with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions and worsening myocardial damage and dysfunction. COVID-19 is highly infectious. Even though the disease was initially discovered in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, the global infected cases had surpassed those in China by March 15, 2020. The number of deaths in many countries has also surpassed the total in China. The novel coronavirus disease 2019 has been confirmed to be a global pandemic. As of July 2020, people infected globally were about 18 million present in 215 countries, with more than 700,000 deaths recorded ( World Health Organization, 2020) . This paper seeks to look into the spread of COVID-19, its symptoms, and the various prevention, control, and management measures necessary to reduce its transmission.
How it Spreads
COVID-19 is primarily spread through nasal or saliva droplets when infected individuals sneeze, cough, or puff out and the droplets fall on the ground or surface. One can get infected through inhaling the virus if they are close to someone suffering from COVID-19 or by getting into contact with a contaminated surface and then touching their nose, mouth, or eyes. Most of those infected with the novel Coronavirus experience mild to restrained respiratory illness and recuperate within a short period ( World Health Organization, 2020). The elderly, children, as well as people with pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases, are more likely to develop serious complications (Lippi & Plebani 2020) . The most suitable way of preventing and slowing down the spread of the virus is to equip oneself with information about COVID-19, ways through which it is transmitted, as well as its preventive, control, and management measures .
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Symptoms
The majority of those infected experience mild to usual symptoms and recuperate with proper care and management. The most common symptoms include fatigue, fever, and dry coughs. Other symptoms include headache, general body pains, sore throat , diarrhea, conjunctivitis, skin rashes, chills, and runny nose, discoloration of fingers or toes, and loss of smell or taste (Abd El-Aziz & Stockand, 2020). In the most severe cases, the patients are likely to experience chest pains or pressure, difficulties in breathing or shortness of breath, as well as the loss of speech or movement. These complications may lead to death if not properly attended ( World Health Organization, 2020) . Accordingly, in cases where patients are experiencing severe symptoms, it is advisable to seek immediate medical attention and preferably make a call ahead of visiting the physician or any health facility for them to make prior arrangements. Patients experiencing mild symptoms, and are otherwise healthy, should manage the illness at home. Usually, it takes approximately five to six days for symptoms to show since the onset of infection. Conversely, it can take about 14-21 days for a patient to recover ( World Health Organization, 2020).
Prevention, Control, and Management
Individuals should maintain a reasonable social distance of about 1-5 meters between themselves and others, especially in public places ( World Health Organization, 2020) . This helps in protection against the infection and in slowing down the transmission rate. The World Health Organization, (2020) advocates for constant cleaning of hands using soap and water or disinfecting them using an appropriate alcohol-based disinfectant. It is advisable to avoid touching the face as the hands could be contaminated. It is also vital to enhance respiratory etiquette, such as coughing or sneezing, into a flexed elbow. Most importantly, the public should avoid unnecessary traveling and abstain from smoking and similar behaviors that are likely to weaken the lungs. In situations where traveling is necessary, it is critical to put on facial masks. Governments should also prioritize on planning how to manage and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This can be achieved through issuing of travel restrictions, restricting social gatherings, enforcing social distancing, and equipping health facilities with the necessary equipments among others. These measures are aimed at preventing or minimizing transmission of the virus, and availing specialized care to patients who are seriously ill . Research on probable vaccines and medicine is currently ongoing, which calls for individual self-care. In the cases where individuals are already infected, it is advisable to take plenty of fluids, healthy food, and enough rest. It is also important to self-isolate from other family members while ensuring proper cleaning and sanitization of surfaces that are frequently touched. Every citizen should endeavor to maintain a healthy lifestyle by ensuring proper diet and enough sleep while minimizing travelling. Special attention should be given to the elderly, children, and people with underlying medical issues. Since there is a likelihood of feeling sad, depressed, or confused during this pandemic, it helps to talk to trusted people such as family and friends ( Guo et al., 2020) .
Conclusion
COVID-19 is highly infectious and has been declared a global pandemic. The disease is spreading rapidly, with a growing number of infected people worldwide. People can contract the virus through inhaling nasal or saliva droplets from those suffering from the disease or by coming into contact with a contaminated surface and then touching their nose, mouth, or eyes. COVID-19 patients experience symptoms such as fever, dry coughs, fatigue, headache, general body pains, sore throat , diarrhea, conjunctivitis, skin rashes, chills and runny nose, discoloration of fingers or toes, loss of smell or taste, chest pains, difficulties in breathing among others. Individual citizens, together with governments throughout the world, must take precautionary measures to minimize infections. Exceptional precautions should be taken when it comes to the elderly, children, as well as those with underlying medical conditions as they are more predisposed to contracting the virus.
References
Abd El-Aziz, T. M., & Stockand, J. D. (2020). Recent progress and challenges in drug development against COVID-19 Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)-an update on the status. Infection, Genetics, and Evolution , 104327.
Guo, J., Huang, Z., Lin, L., & Lv, J. (2020). Coronavirus disease 2019 (covid‐19) and cardiovascular disease: a viewpoint on the potential influence of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers on onset and severity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections. Journal of the American Heart Association , 9 (7), e016219.
Lippi, G., & Plebani, M. (2020). The novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) outbreak: think the unthinkable and be prepared to face the challenge. Diagnosis , 7 (2), 79-81.
World Health Organization. (2020). Responding to community spread of COVID-19: interim guidance, March 7, 2020 (No. WHO/COVID-19/Community_Transmission/2020.1). World Health Organization.
