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**Update** The first recorded death from the coronavirus has now occurred in the US. The victim is a man in his 50s from Washington state who is one of the cases of unknown origin. He had other underlying health issues that complicated the situation. Washington Governor Jay Inslee has declared a State of Emergency.
The coronavirus continues to spread around the globe. In the latest coronavirus update from the WHO, the group has raised its risk assessment to “very high” across the world. This is the highest level of risk as the disease has spread to 49 countries in a matter of weeks.
The virus has infected over 85,000 people worldwide thus far. Over 2,900 people have been killed by the disease. Most of these cases have been in China, the country where the current outbreak began.
The latest coronavirus update has 67 cases reported in the US. Most were people brought back from the contaminated Diamond Princess cruise ship. However, we now have four cases of unknown origin. These four patients had not left the country or come into contact with those that did.
About the Disease
Coronavirus can spread from human to human contact. The virus can be carried by droplets from sneezing and coughing or left behind on inanimate objects. This is why health officials stress that washing your hands is one of the best defenses against getting sick.
The disease appears to have about a 1% mortality rate. While this number seems low, it is higher than the flu, which kills hundreds of thousands each year. The virus is particularly dangerous for the elderly and those with other health complications.
Symptoms include sore throat, runny nose, fever, and pneumonia. It can lead to organ failure and death. There is currently no vaccine for the virus, though several countries are working on one.
While one should take the coronavirus seriously, it should not induce panic. The coronavirus comes from the same family of viruses that causes the common cold. You can use the same precautions against it as you would the cold or flu. The biggest key is washing your hands, especially when you are out in public.