C228 WGU Task 2 Respiratory
Syndrome Corona virus.
Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (Task 2)
Western Governors University
RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONA VIRUS
B. Description of a chosen international outbreak
The respiratory syndrome coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected many people and countries
worldwide. COVID-19 was sourced back to a market in Wuhan, China in December of 2019
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that
spreads easily from human to human via respiratory droplets. It is thought that COVID-19
emerged from a large seafood and animal market and traveled worldwide quickly (Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). The first lab confirmed case of COVID-19 in the United
States was January 20th, 2020 which spread to the entire country very quickly, including small
towns in Tennessee such as Davidson County (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
2020).
B1. Epidemiological Determinants and Risk Factors
Most illnesses caused by COVID-19 are mild and those infected will recover on their own with
little to no intervention. Research per the CDC (2020) states “Data from several countries
suggest that 14%-19% are hospitalized and 3%-5% will need intensive care unit admission.” “It
has been reported that SARS-CoV-2 is sensitive to ultraviolet rays and heat at 56 degrees Celsius
for 30 minutes; ether, 75% ethanol, chlorine-containing disinfectant, peracetic acid, chloroform,
and other fatty solvents can effectively inactivate the virus,” (Yi et al., 2020). Most of the
population has not come in contact with the novel coronavirus therefore has no immune
response and is susceptible to infection. “Age was the most important factor of…COVID-19.
COVID-19 mainly happened at the age of 30-65 with 47.7% of those patients being over 50 in a
study of 8,866 cases…” (Yi et al., 2020). Although age is the most important factor in COVID-19
transmission, people with the following medical conditions are considered at increased risk of
severe illness from COVID-19: “cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease, heart conditions such as: heart failure, coronary artery disease, and/or
cardiomyopathy, immunocompromised state such as from an organ transplant, obesity, sickle
cell disease, smoking, and type two diabetes mellitus,” (Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 2020).
B2. Route of Transmission
COVID-19 is a global pandemic that spreads very easily from person-to-person by respiratory
droplets when someone coughs, sneezes, or talks. These respiratory droplets then infect the
next host through the mouth, nose, and eyes. People may also be infected with the virus if they
touch infected surfaces so it is recommended to wash hands frequently, wear a mask, and keep
at least 6ft distance from others, especially when indoors. It is thought that COVID-19 spread
rapidly from Wuhan, China throughout the globe through international travel first, hitting larger
cities with dense population and international airports, and then quickly spread to smaller
towns and cities with local travel next.
Syndrome Corona virus.
Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (Task 2)
Western Governors University
RESPIRATORY SYNDROME CORONA VIRUS
B. Description of a chosen international outbreak
The respiratory syndrome coronavirus (COVID-19) has affected many people and countries
worldwide. COVID-19 was sourced back to a market in Wuhan, China in December of 2019
(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that
spreads easily from human to human via respiratory droplets. It is thought that COVID-19
emerged from a large seafood and animal market and traveled worldwide quickly (Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). The first lab confirmed case of COVID-19 in the United
States was January 20th, 2020 which spread to the entire country very quickly, including small
towns in Tennessee such as Davidson County (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
2020).
B1. Epidemiological Determinants and Risk Factors
Most illnesses caused by COVID-19 are mild and those infected will recover on their own with
little to no intervention. Research per the CDC (2020) states “Data from several countries
suggest that 14%-19% are hospitalized and 3%-5% will need intensive care unit admission.” “It
has been reported that SARS-CoV-2 is sensitive to ultraviolet rays and heat at 56 degrees Celsius
for 30 minutes; ether, 75% ethanol, chlorine-containing disinfectant, peracetic acid, chloroform,
and other fatty solvents can effectively inactivate the virus,” (Yi et al., 2020). Most of the
population has not come in contact with the novel coronavirus therefore has no immune
response and is susceptible to infection. “Age was the most important factor of…COVID-19.
COVID-19 mainly happened at the age of 30-65 with 47.7% of those patients being over 50 in a
study of 8,866 cases…” (Yi et al., 2020). Although age is the most important factor in COVID-19
transmission, people with the following medical conditions are considered at increased risk of
severe illness from COVID-19: “cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease, heart conditions such as: heart failure, coronary artery disease, and/or
cardiomyopathy, immunocompromised state such as from an organ transplant, obesity, sickle
cell disease, smoking, and type two diabetes mellitus,” (Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 2020).
B2. Route of Transmission
COVID-19 is a global pandemic that spreads very easily from person-to-person by respiratory
droplets when someone coughs, sneezes, or talks. These respiratory droplets then infect the
next host through the mouth, nose, and eyes. People may also be infected with the virus if they
touch infected surfaces so it is recommended to wash hands frequently, wear a mask, and keep
at least 6ft distance from others, especially when indoors. It is thought that COVID-19 spread
rapidly from Wuhan, China throughout the globe through international travel first, hitting larger
cities with dense population and international airports, and then quickly spread to smaller
towns and cities with local travel next.
