The coronavirus pandemic is a global health crisis that has affected mankind for nearly two years. With vaccinations underway, COVID-19 has created a new normal. But what does that mean specifically for you?

There are some burning questions that you may need answers to and with information culled from various health sources, including the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, we’ve got them.

Here’s what you need to know about coronavirus (COVID-19):

In This Article:

What Is Coronavirus?

Coronavirus is the name of a group of viruses that include the common cold and other flu-like sicknesses.

Coronaviruses are named based on the Spanish word for “crown” (corona), which alludes to the crown-like spikes that protrude from the virus as it appears under a microscope.

The exact name of this coronavirus is “SARS-CoV-2”. The illness it causes is being called “Coronavirus 2019,” or COVID-19 for short.

The Delta variant first emerged in India in December 2020 and quickly spread around the world.

In November 2021, the Omicron variant was identified. Here are the symptoms.

How Did Coronavirus Start?

Chinese scientists discovered this novel coronavirus in December 2019, when cases began to be reported by Wuhan-area health clinics.

It has now spread to more than 100 cities across the world, including the United States.

On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak an international health emergency.

On March 11, WHO declared it a pandemic.

How Many Coronavirus Cases Are In The US?

The cases of coronavirus continue to grow in the United States. Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers, according to the Johns Hopkins University online tracker,

As of May 2020, every state has reported a coronavirus case, and many of them are seeing the numbers rise even as they re-opened their economies.

How Long Does Coronavirus Last?

As for how long does coronavirus last on surfaces? According to researchers at the National Institutes of Health, Princeton, and the University of California, Los Angeles, here’s what they say:

“We found that viable virus 36 could be detected in aerosols up to 3 hours post aerosolization, up to 4 hours on copper, up to 24 hours on 37 cardboard and up to 2-3 days on plastic and stainless steel. HCoV-19 and SARS-CoV-1 exhibited similar 38 half-lives in aerosols, with median estimates around 2.7 hours. Both viruses show relatively long viability 39 on stainless steel and polypropylene compared to copper or cardboard: the median half-life estimate for 40 HCoV-19 is around 13 hours on steel and around 16 hours on polypropylene.”

If You Think You’re Sick, Here’s What To Do 

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, the CDC says you may develop the following symptoms:

  •  Fever
  • cough
  • difficulty breathing

If you experience any of those symptoms, the CDC advises that you call your healthcare provider for medical advice.

How Many People Have Died From Coronavirus?

The number of people who have died from COVID-19 remains fluid. Worldometer has a real-time tracker of coronavirus deaths.

Where To Get The COVID Vaccine In Atlanta

Zendaya spotted in Atlanta publix before filming Spider-Man
Photo credit: Twitter
Georgia health officials have been working hard to get more doses delivered to the state. Metro Atlanta now has several places that are doing inoculations for Georgia residents.
If you’re looking for the COVID-19 vaccine in Atlanta, here are the vaccination sites.

Final Words

If you are at higher risk of getting sick, health authorities ask that you stay indoors as much as you can. Call your doctor to get 90-day prescriptions.

See if you can go to the grocery store to pick up supplies to last you several days. More importantly, if you feel sick, call your doctor.

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