On the last day of the year 2019 when most of us were busy raising a toast to the new year and leave another year of bitter-sweet memories behind us, the most populated country of the world had heard the first of a then-unknown virus for a large number of pneumonia cases in the city Wuhan. One that belongs to the eastern part of the factory of the world - China.

What had first begun as an epidemic only affecting the world's largest producer of concrete, steel, clothing, toys, and fertilizer has in less than 3 months transformed into a global pandemic.

As of this day, more than 160 countries over the globe and 3,45,259 people have tested positive for Coronavirus, also commonly known as Covid19.

The total number of people who have died due to the disease so far as per https://www.worldometers.info/Coronavirus/ are 14,923 and recovered cases are 99,078.

How affected is India by this pandemic?

The total number of confirmed cases in India as of 23.03.2020 is 415, out of which, 349 are of Indian nationalities and 42 are foreign nationals, 24 persons have been cured and discharged while the others are still battling it.

Some of the most affected states in the nation are Kerala, Telangana, Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. 

Confirms economictimes.indiatimes.com.

The Government of India has decided to shut down over 75 Coronavirus-hit districts as a precautionary measure to restrict the spread of the disease.

This was a gist of what's happening in our nation, what about the rest of the world?

Italy, Iran, Spain, Germany, USA, France, South Korea, Switzerland, and of course China are the top 10 countries that have been hit the hardest from the Covid19.

Is there a cure for Coronavirus?

While there is no specific treatment for the new pandemic virus, there are people who have successfully recovered and have been discharged. However, there are no quicker and easier cures available yet. Although most of the doctors across the globe are testing a combination of existing drugs of Ebola, Malaria, and HIV, they're not enough to stop the outbreak and cure patients any sooner.

How does Coronavirus spread?

Like cold & flu bugs, Coronavirus too spreads via droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. It can also spread from sharing of food, cigarettes, other commonly touched items like elevator buttons, couches, doorknobs, commonly used spaces, etc. The virus enters a person's body when they touch their infected hands to their mouth, nose, or eyes.

Rumour has it that Coronavirus spreads through the air, we are glad to inform you that's completely untrue.

And hence people across the globe are strongly suggested to maintain social distance, stay in quarantine, and restrict the spread of disease on each individual's personal level.

Famous celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, Shahrukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, Kartik Aryan, Sara Ali Khan and many more across the globe have taken their social media to spread awareness about the disease and are urging citizens across the globe to continue self-isolation and stay at home as a safety measure.

Needless to say introverts are making the most of their self-quarantine and practising the art of social distancing at their level best. Whereas the extroverts of the world who love exploring, stepping out of their homes and interacting with the world are the worst affected lot of people by the lockdown and self-quarantine.

Memes on how the introverts are enjoying the isolation and work from home and how the extroverts are craving some human interaction and a whiff of fresh air are surfacing on the internet to keep the world entertained during such difficult times.

It boils down to one thing, what does the world need to do to save their lives? On a contrary to what is expected of people during wartimes, citizens are expected to stay at their respective homes to save the lives of themselves and their loved ones.

Coronavirus is very likely to spread to everyone who comes in contact with an infected patient and family members are often at a very huge risk.

Suggested measures are to:

1. Practice social distancing if stepping out for necessary chores. 
2. Staying home if it's not absolutely necessary.
3. Releasing your domestic help for their duties until further notice of better situations. 
4. Not travel unless it's absolutely necessary. 
5. Report any person who is traveling from overseas to the authorities for an early checkup.
6. Self-isolate yourself if you're traveling from overseas or any other affected/crowded region within the country.
7. Opt for a healthy diet and work on strengthening your immune system. 
8. Keep seniors above 60 years of age and kids below 10 years of age at a distance from all social gatherings due to their relatively weaker immunity system. 
9. Practice social hygiene and beware.
10. Follow your state and central government's instructions.

Image Source: Fierce Healthcare, Financial Times