SOME KEY TERMS USED IN THE CURRENT CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) OUTBREAK

Some vocabulary in English for the current COVID-19 OUTBREAK!!

COVID-19

The name of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and is short for “Coronavirus Disease 2019.” (Source: WHO)

Case fatality rate (CFR)

An estimate of the risk of mortality from a contagious disease. The CFR is calculated by dividing the number of deaths caused by a disease by the number of cases of that disease in a given time period. The CFR is time and location-dependent, and many different factors can influence the CFR, such as speed of diagnosis of cases, health system capacity, age and other demographic characteristics, among others. 

Close contact

A person who may be at risk of a contagious disease because of their proximity or exposure to a known case. Exact definition of close contact differs by disease; for COVID-19, the CDC defines a close contact as anyone who has been within 6 feet of a person infected with the virus for a prolonged period of time, or has had direct contact with the infected person’s secretions.

Community transmission/spread

Infections identified in a given geographic area without a history of travel elsewhere and no connection to a known case.

Contact tracing

The process of identifying, assessing, and managing people who have been exposed to a contagious disease to prevent onward transmission. 

Cordon sanitaire

A measure preventing anyone from leaving a defined geographic area, such as a community, region, or country infected by a disease to stop the spread of the disease.

Flattening the curve

Slowing a virus’ spread to reduce the peak number of cases and related demands on hospitals and infrastructure

Home isolation

Persons with COVID-19 who have symptoms or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who have been directed to stay at home until they are recovered. (Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html)

N95 respirator (face mask)

Personal protective equipment that is used to protect the wearer from airborne particles and from liquid contaminating the face (Source: https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/disposable-respirators.pdf)

Negative-pressure rooms

Rooms specifically designed for patients with contagious diseases that contain any circulating air in the room and prevent it from being released into any other part of the hospital.

Pandemic

An epidemic that has spread over several countries/continents, usually affecting a large number of people.

Ventilator

A device that delivers air into the lungs through a tube that is placed into the mouth or nose and down into the windpipe. (Source: https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/mechanical-ventilation.pdf)

A REMINDER FOR MY STUDENTS !!!   STAY HOME  !!!