GIS TECHNOLOGY IN CORONA VIRUS DISEASE SURVEILLANCE

Corona Virus, otherwise known as COVID-19 is a respiratory disease that mainly affects the respiratory system and is characterized by sneezing, headache, tiredness and a dry cough.

The disease has an incubation period on between 1-14 days before developing symptoms, which is why people are advised to take a 14-day personal quarantine to avoid the spread and also ascertain that you are not infected. We cannot ignore the massive progress that has been made in this field, despite the fact that there has not been found a cure nor a vaccine. One of the best ways to join in the fight against this virus is by washing your hand regularly with soap and running water. It is also advisable to use hand sanitizers to disinfect your hands regularly as well. Remember, that it can be spread from coming into contact with contaminated persons or surfaces and this may include even money as well, which is why people are encouraged to use mobile money transfer methods and most importantly stay at home.

With scientist working around the clock to minimize the spread and also try and get a cure for the novel disease, Corona Virus, or as many of you will call it, Covid-19, they need help from every available channel and geographical data analyst have risen to the task once again to help and show them in a simplified version how the virus is spreading. So what is GIS technology? What is its relevance in relation to the Corona Virus? GIS technology is basically the collection, analyzing, manipulation and representation of spatial and geographic data as deemed relevant according to the set criteria. In our previous segment, we analyzed a couple of software that have been tested and proven time and again to be the best GIS program every GIS analyst should learn. However, amid this pandemic, how do these systems help us and what role are they playing in making sure that the human race overcomes this terror? Well, this is how. Our GIS assignment writers compiled a list of how the world can use GIS technology in Covid-19 surveillance.

As you have already heard in the news, Corona Virus can trace its origin from Wuhan China, and for a minute there the world was not all that concerned with what was happening there until the number of people rose to a couple of hundreds and eventually, the first case of the disease was felt in another country and now this got more real for everyone. During the first run of the virus, there were random speculations as the disease was affecting random people at random places and in no particular order. However with time, after collection and grouping of data, it was now established that people were affected at different rates and thus the disease manifested at different periods. With this data the world was now able to see the region covered and also able to trace how it spread, this then led to the lockdown of cities in China to avoid the spread. Now with this in mind, I am sure you now understand how the vents unfolded.

Helps predict patterns and future outbreaks

As we have heard time and again we can never know where we are going unless we know where we are coming from. GIS technology has offered us that leverage as collected data is now analyzed and well represented and in turn, trends can be predicted. So why is so important to know the trends when it comes to Corona virus? As I had mentioned in the previous segment on, all about Corona virus, The virus is spread very fast by contact with surfaces or with people who have the virus, however, the virus is not air-borne. All it takes for the virus to spread is a simple handshake, a sneeze or even coming to contact with contaminated surfaces.

When the ministry of health or CDC is able to predict the areas that might be affected next, they impose closed quarantine in those areas and also are equipped in the event of an emergency. On top of that, it also helps advice people accordingly.

Real-time tracking of Covid-19 spread

The world health organization is at the front line in helping fight this pandemic and they are doing the best they can in collaboration with both the affected countries and those that are not yet infected. Having in mind that they have this tasks in hand, they have also adopted a GIS system that assists them to get live updates of what is happening in terms of the cases being reported all over the globe. They are able to update their systems every 15 minutes with the latest news in terms of the spread and research on Corona Virus. GIS analysts have come up with a global map that shows the extent to which every country has been affected by the virus. However, the good thing is that they do not reveal the specific identities of the affected individual.

Distribution of economic aid

On a global scale, media houses have shifted their focus from the political arena, celebrity drama and right to the health sector. This has been the trend for all sectors that revolve around us. Social distancing has been stressed upon severally by the CDC, the ministry of health and even the world health organization. This without saying comes with a negative impact in terms of the world economy. This has not gone unnoticed by the World Bank which has in turn offered to work liaison with countries affected by the virus. Given that there is a variation in the geographical and number of victims in each country, they have to refer back to the data analysis presented by GIS analysts to equally give aid to countries. We can be certain that there will be a major backdrop in the standard of living in affected countries but at the same time still thankful that the World Bank has cushioned the landing.

Internal analysis

Medical facilities that are involved in the handling of patients and those in charge or research also find GIS technology quite relevant. There is so much that goes on in the medical facilities that people are not aware of but I think this is all for our good. However, given that this is a first time for us to deal with this disease, information such as its origin and all the conditions surrounding the disease, why the infection rate is higher in some regions than others is very vital. So on an internal basis, the medical institutions collect that data and share it to the concerned institutions for further development. On top of that, they also find conventional mapping to be very important and this reduces the response time when a case is found.

The world has come a long way and thanks to the ever-evolving technology, we are at an advantage even in the midst of this calamity. News surrounding Corona Virus reached every corner of the globe in less than an hour and education on its nature, how its spreads and how to protect one’s self is done on all media systems, including mainstream media and social media. This is however not the first time that GIS systems have been used, however, it is the first time that it has been used under the modern world. In the past, people used to wait for manual collection data and represent it on charts and maps, which took longer and the information ran a high risk of inaccuracy between updates. I can therefore not fail to acknowledge the major progress that has been made in this field by the day.

Corona Virus

What is corona virus, what causes it, how can I protect myself and more importantly, what should I know about corona virus? These are familiar questions that are running through everyone minds all over the globe right from the most powerful man to the little boy in the village. However, there is only so much we can learn about corona virus given that it is a new phenomenon to us. So how safe are we and how long is this virus going to be around, is there a vaccine? However, despite the fact that I cannot give you all these answers I can walk you through all what is known about the corona virus. Hey! It doesn’t hurt to be informed.

What is Corona Virus?

COVID-19 is a virus that scientist know very little about in the human body since all that is known of this virus has only been encountered in animals. Corona virus was first encountered in human being in December 2019 in Wuhan China. The main challenge that it posed was the fact that the government did not know about this fast enough until bodies were found lying on the streets and this made it earn its epidemic label. Human beings have been known to have quite a strong immune system, though it has been severely tested over the eye and has mutated to become stronger but this is new even to the body and this makes it more strenuous and the body gives in quite fast. At first, the virus was known as ‘corona virus’ but eventually, thanks to the international scientific naming standard it was named ‘covid-19’. As a matter of fact, this is an abbreviation for ‘corona virus disease’ having COVID-19 stand for ‘CO’ ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease and 19 for the year in which it was found.

In other words, corona virus is what we would call a textbook/ novel illness as it has only been experienced/ explored theoretically and even then not to the extent to which it has manifested itself. Scientists on a global scale as in a race to not only find a cure but also a vaccine for this new epidemic that is causing ripples of panic around the globe as it makes surprise appearances in different parts of the world and claiming more lives. However, thanks to the enhanced communication systems in place today and the internet, people are now more informed on what preventive measure sot take and also getting to learn more about covid-19. However, on the downside, the internet is also causing havoc, as well as people, sharing rumors surrounding the virus, this has in one way or the other affected certain people and action has been taken on certain individuals.

A report by the CDC showed that as a matter of fact, Corona virus is not the first of its kind, however, covid-19 is unique. There are other forms of corona virus that have been found such as corona virus 229E, and patients are handled and treated quite differently when it comes to the both of them. This is due to its different symptoms and reactions and effect on the human body. So what are the symptoms associated with this disease?

Symptoms of Corona Virus

At first, bodies were found lying all over the streets randomly and not much was known about this, at least to the common citizens of Wuhan, but with time, as scientist continue digging up more into this, we have come to learn more about its symptoms.

Respiratory illness

According to all the victims of the corona virus, the common similarity between them all is that they were all faced with respiratory infections which cuts right through form the nose to the lung and general breathing.

Coughing

There is not much to explain around coughing, but this has been known as one of the major mediums of transmission of the virus.

Shortness of breath

This is in relation to the above symptoms that affect the respiratory system and this tends to deprive the body of the ability to breathe normally and in severe cases is regarded as fatal.

However, these are not the final findings as this is all new to us as well, but it is based on the observation that has been made on the patients that have been admitted after testing positive for the virus. After infection, the symptoms may appear between 2-14 days and given that it has no cure yet, depending on the severity it ranges from mild symptoms, severe illness and even death.

Have you heard of zoonotic diseases? Well, let me shed some light on that in relation to covid-19. Zoonotic diseases according to Wikipedia are ‘ (plural zoonoses, or zoonotic diseases)

an infectious disease caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites that spread from non-human animals (usually vertebrates) to humans. This means that it can be transmitted from animals to human beings. This could explain how it was first found in a market in china that traded in ‘uncommon’ animal meat such as that of bats. I dare think that that were it not for such poor lifestyle choices than maybe, just maybe this could have been avoided, which leads me to the next segment,

How To Prevent Spread of the Virus?

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Given that this is a respiratory disease, this means that air is one of the mediums that could be used in its transmission, which is why the government and all other related departments are highly discouraging large gatherings of people and even quarantining regions that have been exposed to the infection to prevent its spread. Make sure that you are not within a minimum radius of 6 feet from an infected person and do not stay for long around them and also avoid having physical contact with them as well.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

As shallow as this may, it could be a real lifesaver. Our hands come into contact with different surfaces over time and by this, I mean a whole range of surfaces from areas that have been exposed to the viruses and even to the basic of petting our animals. During this period, make as much effort to minimize contact of your hands with your eyes, nose and mouth.

Stay home when sick.

The only way to avoid spreading such an epidemic is being human enough to spare others from getting the virus by not working around circumstances that could facilitate its spread.

When coughing or sneezing use a tissue and dispose of it properly after use.

This helps avoid spraying the air with the virus that could be quite hazardous to those around you.

Wear a facemask

Desperate times call for desperate measures and this for sure is one of those desperate times. A facemask could be the reason as to why you will survive this epidemic. A face mask prevents you from breathing in contaminated air and at the same time prevents you (if infected) from further spreading it

Maintain proper hygiene

It is now time that the human race went back to the basics of proper hygiene to ensure their survival. Proper hygiene costs you nothing and the simple practices of washing your hands before and after going to the bathroom, before you eat and after sneezing and coughing and disinfecting your house have proven to be once again very crucial. This is not only for the case of corona virus but also for many more illnesses, you might escape the claws of corona but fall prey of another illness.

Cook meat and eggs properly.

As we have already established, corona virus has traced its origin form non –human animals, and given that most people take meat and eggs then the disease is prone to either spread or reproduce in animal meat and produce. As in the case in the meat market in China, it spread from the meet. The CDC is highly recommending that both business in the hospitality industry and people in the homes, ensure that they cook meat and eggs properly before consuming them. Prevention is always better than cure.

Are you infected with the virus? What do you do if you have been close to someone who has been infected?

If you suspect that you have been exposed to the virus make sure that you seek for medical attention, HOWEVER, make sure that you alert your medical officer prior to your visit so that they can get ready and also avoid its spread in the hospital.
Keep track of your symptoms

The only way to know that you are experiencing is right from the symptoms and in this case, you are to look out for respiratory symptoms. However, they could just be any other disease, but make sure that you don’t take it for granted and monitor the symptoms and seek medical help.

Avoid crowded spaces

The subway shared cabs and even buses should be used as your last option both for your safety and for those around you. Ensure that you stay home when you do not have anything of importance to do out there. This limits your possibility of coming into contact with the virus.

Transport in relation to covid-19

The world has turned into a global village and the thought of waking up in one continent and sleeping in the other is not an impossibility anymore, however, this is definitely not the time for that. Governments all around the world have imposed travel bans to china and even more restrictions on what comes to and from China. Leave alone the financial perspective of this and look at the emotional impact for those quarantined (trapped) there and this will tell you that this is only a real case scenario of desperate time calling for desperate measure. Wuhan China is as per now no one’s favorite destination place and they will also take some time to recover from that but this is all for the good of the human race.

Not only are people discouraged from travelling to china but also from using crowded travel facilities such as subways, trains and busses.

Treatment

To this moment, there has not been any given treatment for corona virus and the best that we have come is simply giving medical care for the infected and relieving them of any discomfort associated with the virus.

Speculations

This segment cannot be complete without talking about all the speculations around the corona virus outbreak both form reliable sources and rumors as well. There has been a major concern on whether people can test negative then positive for the virus. Well, the answer is yes. The argument behind this is that the virus could take a while before it is detected which is why suspected carriers of the virus are put under quarantine to fully ascertain whether they are infected or not.

On the other hand, like most viruses, one of the factors that propels or influences it is the change in weather patterns, so the science community is still looking at the possibility of looking at the role that weather plays in this. However, if they have success in this, then they will have made a major milestone in treating this.

Is this natural or artificial? Well for those who love a good conspiracy theory might be on to something as people tend to think that corona virus has ‘lab experiment’ written all over it, but honestly, there is no proof to this yet. However, just like any other theory, it will be tested on the scale of time to see if it holds. However other people have speculated that there is apa6tern of certain new epidemics happening after 100 years. True or false? I’ll leave that for you to decide.

However, as far as science is concerned those are the facts surrounding the corona virus otherwise known as covid-19. However, I still have my utmost faith in the human race that once again we hall rise above this and despite the fact we have lost a couple of good people, we can only hope for better days ahead. I do believe that every one of us has a role to play during this time and the very first duty is keeping yourself safe by maintaining hygienic, personal health, cooking meat and eggs properly and not forgetting seeking for medical help in case of any symptom.

Nursing Diagnosis Plan for Corona Virus

Are you a medical or nursing student and would like to order nursing care plan for covid-19 then talk to our nursing writers for assistance. As the world grips in panic due to the pandemic disease most nursing schools and medical researchers have turned to research to understand the mechanism of the virus and how to treat patients. We expect medical and nursing students to write numerous assignments on corona virus this article will go along way in tackling the assignments.

Month: March 2020