Dwarfing SARS

To date, coronavirus-Wuhan (2019-nCoV) has claimed more than eight hundred (800) lives and infected nearly forty thousand (40,000) individuals, surpassing the SARS epidemic of 2002-2003. While the largest outbreaks occurred in mainland China, additional verified infections surfaced elsewhere. Britain, Spain, France, Australia, the United States, and Canada all report verified cases. Although the number of verified new cases stabilized in recent days, the WHO (World Health Organization) issued official statements advising caution. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director general, stated: “… it can show stability for a few days and then shoot up … it may accelerate.”

What Is the Coronavirus?

The 2019 novel coronavirus-Wuhan (2019-nCoV) primarily infects bats. Unfortunately, animal to human transmission occurs through intermediate animal reservoirs. Further, the virus has demonstrated the ability to jump from animals to humans, prior to person-to-person transmission, via mutation.

As an enveloped virus similar to Influenza A, coronavirus enjoys natural protection against possible threats. A lipoprotein envelope surrounds the nucleoprotein core of the virus, creating a protective envelope to safeguard the deadly payload. With a genome strikingly similar to a SARS/MERS-type virus, coronavirus may spread and evolve into a pandemic similar to the 2003 worldwide SARS outbreak, originating in China in 2002.

Industry Implications

The travel and tourism industries bear some of the most public burdens related to an outbreak of this nature. The Chinese government quarantined a cruise ship in Hong Kong after eight passengers tested positive for infection following a recent journey. That ship, the World Dream, recently received government clearance to empty after no cases were found among its crew members. Meanwhile, the Diamond Princess, quarantined in Yokohama, Japan, remains closed isolated. Six (6) new cases, confirmed by the Japanese Health Ministry, brought the total infected to seventy (70). The British government ordered one hundred and fifty (150) passengers from a recently arrived flight from Wuhan to quarantine in a medical center in Milton Keynes, England. Currently, the United Stats bars entry to all foreign citizens that have recently been in China.

The automotive industry suffers as well. With many key auto and auto parts facilities located in mainland China, suppliers in Asia, Europe, and the United States continue to monitor the ongoing situation and prepare for component shortages. Volkswagen, Daimler, PSA, Toyota, BMW, and others continue with production halts throughout Chinese plants. They do not plan to reopen facilities until 02.17.2020.

The medical industry faces entirely different challenges. Whether in the heart of the outbreak in mainland China, or elsewhere, medical workers must simultaneously strive to identify, isolate, and treat infected patients while assiduously avoid infection themselves.

Stopping the Spread of Coronavirus

The CDC recommends the following everyday precautions and procedures:

  • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Avoid kissing and touching eyes, noses, or mouths.
  • Avoid close contact with infected persons.
  • Wear masks and goggles properly and consistently when in proximity to infected persons.
  • Practice preventative measures and employ effective disinfection and decontamination methods.

Chinese citizens in Wuhan and elsewhere practice similar – and more advanced – measures. Gloves, masks, special pants, and jackets form the standard “uniform” when citizens must leave their homes. These uniforms undergo a rigorous cleaning process with alcohol and other disinfectants on a regular basis. “A lot of time is spent cleaning,” said one Chinese citizen about the outbreak.

ADSS encourages adherence to CDC guidelines. Further, we offer additional levels of protection thanks to our partnership with TOMI Environmental Solutions. TOMI SteraMist, utilizing BIT™ processes in conjunction with an AIHP solution, provides six-log reduction in viruses with similar protective methods: this means a one in one million survival rate for an individual virion. Moreover, this patented process historically demonstrates extreme efficacy combating emergent viral threats. Finally, SteraMist safely sanitizes areas that most other solutions are unable to reach, and does so faster and more effectively.

Protect your employees and your facilities. Call ADSS for a consultation, and learn how – together – we can help stop the spread of coronavirus and other threats.

Multiple Contributors. (2020, February). The Coronavirus Outbreak. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/09/world/asia/coronavirus-china.html.

Multiple Contributors. (2020, January). Coronavirus Update. Retrieved from https://tomimist.com.