EXPLAINER: A Variant of COVID-19 is Spreading Fast: What you need to know
By Daniel Okwa
The Acute Respiratory Syndrome known as COVID-19 was first reported in Wuhan, China in 2019. By September 2021, almost 2 years after it was first detected, there had been an alarming rate of confirmed cases and millions of lives lost to the virus.
To tackle the pandemic, strict measures were put in place globally.These included Social-distance, strict travel restrictions, proper hand washing techniques among others. These only slowed the spread of the virus. The moderna mRNA vaccine was developed and administered which brought the pandemic under control preventing it’s further outbreak.
In November 22, 2024, a new variant of the virus officially called the SARS-CoV-2 also known as “Cicada variant was detected in South Africa and also in other countries like Mozambique and Netherlands among twenty three other countries. This omicron related sub variant was identified through global and U.S monitoring systems. The dangerous thing about it is that, it has evolved with mutations that may make it spread easily.Early data has shown that it spreads easily from person to person contact.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.
IMPORTANT SYMPTONS.
This COVID-19 Cicada comes with symptoms identified such as: cough, tiredness, fever, body ache, headaches, sore-throat, shortness of breath, among others. Older people have weak immune system and so must endeavor to contact a doctor early if they feel these signs.
PREVENTION:
The Cicada variant has been detected in Nigeria, so, the Benue People in particular must guide themselves by taking preventive measures. Such measures should include but not limited to the following; wearing good face masks in crowded places such as burial or churches as well as markets, avoiding people who are sick, staying indoors as much as possible, Washing of hands more often, keeping a reasonable distance when among people, not sharing dresses, not sharing items with sharp edges like clippers or razor blades, to mention a few.
TREATMENT:
Testing positive to the virus is not a death sentence. These are actions you must take to if you must recover your healthy. You can recover at home if you take antiviral medicines as recommended by a Doctor, get plenty rest, drink a lot of fluids. It is very important to note that you should follow isolation rules to keep others from getting it.
CONCLUSION:
Cicada is a new variant of COVID-19 virus. It can spread easily, but vaccines and treatments still protect most people from getting very sick. Following simple safety steps can help you stay safe.
This piece is written in collaboration with Centre for Democracy and Development CDD West Africa as part of its media fellowship
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