COVID 19 –

NOVEL CORONAVIRUS

OVERVIEW

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a

newly discovered coronavirus.

Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild
to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special
treatment.  Older people, and those with underlying medical problems
like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and
cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well

informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it
spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by washing your
hands or using an alcohol-based rub frequently and not touching your
face. 

The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or

discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes,
so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for
example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).

At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-

19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating
potential treatments.
PREVENTION

To prevent infection and to slow transmission of COVID-19, do the

following:

 Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, or clean them
with alcohol-based hand rub.
 Maintain at least 1 metre distance between you and people
coughing or sneezing.
 Avoid touching your face.
 Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
 Stay home if you feel unwell.
 Refrain from smoking and other activities that weaken the lungs.
 Practice physical distancing by avoiding unnecessary travel and
staying away from large groups of people.

SYMPTOMS

The COVID-19 virus affects different people in different ways. 

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease and most infected people will
develop mild to moderate symptoms and recover without requiring
special treatment.  People who have underlying medical conditions
and those over 60 years old have a higher risk of developing severe
disease and death.
Common symptoms include:

 fever
 tiredness
 dry cough.

Other symptoms include:

 shortness of breath
 aches and pains
 sore throat
 and very few people will report diarrhoea, nausea or a runny
nose.

People with mild symptoms who are otherwise healthy should self-
isolate and contact their medical provider or a COVID-19 information
line for advice on testing and referral.

People with fever, cough or difficulty breathing should call their

doctor and seek medical attention.

AFFECTED AREAS

New cases of the novel coronavirus that emerged in the central

Chinese city of Wuhan in late December are being reported daily
around the world.

More than 177,000 people have died from COVID-19, the disease

caused by the new coronavirus, while some 2.5 million infections
have been confirmed in at least 185 countries and territories. More
than 686,000 people have recovered to date.
COUNTRIES WITH MOST NO. OF CASES

United States - 825,183 cases, 45,075 deaths 

Spain - 204,178 cases, 21,282 deaths

Italy - 181,957 cases, 24,648 deaths

France - 159,300 cases, 20,829 deaths

Germany - 148,453 cases, 5,086 deaths

United Kingdom - 130,184 cases, 17,378 deaths

Turkey - 95,591 cases, 2,259 deaths

China - 83,864 cases, 4,636 deaths

Iran - 84,802 cases, 5,297 deaths 

Russia - 52,763 cases, 456 deaths 

Belgium - 40,956 cases, 5,998 deaths

Brazil - 40,814 cases, 2,761 deaths

Canada - 37,933 cases, 1,915 deaths

Netherlands - 34,588 cases, 3,929 deaths

 IMPACT ON WORLD ECONOMY
With more than 20 lakh people infected worldwide and 1.27 lakh dead, the
Covid-19 pandemic shows no signs of abating. As vaccine is yet to be found,
lockdowns remain the only way to slow its spread. However, the lockdowns are
also pushing major economies to the brink.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its global GDP growth
estimate from 3.3% just 3 months ago to a contraction of 3%, something not
seen since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

UNITED STATES
 Annual GDP ($ billion) *: 20,544.34
 GDP growth in 2019 (%) *: 2.30
 Covid cases/Million^: 1,855
 Covid deaths/Million^: 79
 Total Mcap ($ BN) **: 29,149.41
 Mcap/GDP**: 1.42
 Exp GDP Growth (JAN)#: 2.00
 Exp GDP Growth (APR)#: -5.90
 Benchmark index PE**: 16.39
The death toll in New York has crossed 10,000 and the virus is now spreading
to other states. Shutdowns are expected to continue for some more time

CHINA
 Annual GDP ($ billion)*: 13,608.15
 GDP growth in 2019 (%)*: 6.00
 Covid cases/Million^: 57
 Covid deaths/Million^: 2
 Total Mcap ($ BN)**: 7,199.67
 Mcap/GDP**: 0.53
 Exp GDP Growth (JAN)#: 6.00
 Exp GDP Growth (APR)#: 1.20
 Benchmark index PE**: 13.13
 With the Covid situation appearing to be under control for now, China is likely
to continue to grow in 2020, though at a slower than before pace

INDIA
 Annual GDP ($ billion)*: 2,718.73
 GDP growth in 2019 (%)*: 4.70
 Covid cases/Million^: 8
 Covid deaths/Million^: 0.30
 Total Mcap ($ BN)**: 1,570.84
 Mcap/GDP**: 0.58
 Exp GDP Growth (JAN)#: 5.80
 Exp GDP Growth (APR)#: 1.90
 Benchmark index PE**: 18.78

IMF says India will remain the ‘fastest growing major economy in 2020’. But
one must remember that the Covid onslaught is only at an early stage in India.