What is Covid-19?

COVID-19 is a new disease, caused be a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is different from the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.  The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses,  named the novel coronavirus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2, shortened to SARS-CoV-2. As the name indicates, the virus is related to the SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) that caused an outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2002-2003. Both originated in China before spreading around the world. However they both are not the same virus. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, although not as lethal as SARS-CoV, seems to spread more easily.  
Covid-19 causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever, and in more severe cases, difficulty breathing. 
For confirmed COVID-19 cases, reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death.

Symptoms include:

1. Fever

2. Dry Cough

3. Sore throat and headaches as well

4. Shortness of breath.

5. Difficulty in breathing.

It is believed at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure. The incubation period is 2 – 14 days.

Coronavirus disease spreads primarily through contact with an infected person when they cough or sneeze. It also spreads when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it, then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth.

References: WHO, European CDC, Plus91 Covid Bulletin.

Plus91 and Covid-19

Plus91’s team responded to Covid-19 first in January 2020. MediXcel Monitor was configured to track symptoms ascribed to nCov.

In late February 2020, Plus91 developed a Covid-19 Case Surveillance and Contact Tracing solution using MediXcel Lite Mobility Platform which was rolled out in Oghun State, Nigeria by Instrats Global Health Solutions and is since being used in approximately 250 primary health care facilities. The MediXcel Lite Covid-19 Case Surveillance and Contact Tracing solution is now also being rolled out in Sierra Leone by HealthConnect SL.

As the global Covod-19 spread seemingly does not seem to be close to being contained, the growth in patients is causing a huge strain on every nations healthcare capabilities. It is estimated as the number of infections increases, the number of hospitals, hospital beds and medical staff will fall short of the need at some point.
To help prepare health workers and volunteers on responding to Covid-19 patients and learning the protocols, Plus91 has developed a Covid-19 Health worker Training app.

Plus91 and Disease Surveillance

Plus91 has been at the forefront of monitoring new diseases and identifying anomalies seen within the consulting room and diagnostic labs, to help early detection of infectious diseases since 2013. MediXcel uses independently developed deep learning techniques and specialized algorithms to predict potential epidemics, flag unknown diseases, backtrace disease spreads, implement contact tracing and identifying patient zero.

Medixcel also helps in early detection, notification and providing guidance on response protocols.