The epidemiology of Covid-19

Answer

The epidemiology of Covid-19

           Covid-19 is a contagious disease that is caused by the novel coronavirus. The new strain of the virus has been challenging for virologists to understand its mechanism of replication. Therefore, it has become a significant challenge to prevent, treat, and control its spread. Consequently, a proper understanding of the incidences, distribution, and possible control options of the disease and other related factors is fundamental in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Additionally, the epidemiology of the virus is essential in coming up with proper management and predictions of the disease. This paper, therefore, explains the concepts of R0 and how it aids in the understanding of coronavirus.  Additionally, it elucidates the epidemiological importance of testing for Covid-19. Moreover, it provides the significance of understanding the epidemiology of Covid-19 the practice of Nursing.

           The concept of R0 is a domino model used to understand the need for identifying infected individuals and aids in their isolation to minimize the spread of an infectious disease. The model states that an infected individual with a transmission rate of two can infect a total of approximately over one million people within a population in two weeks (Koks, Williams & Quinn et al., 2020). Notably, in a situation of isolating half of the dominos at an interval of every three days, the remainder who may continue to infect other people at the same rate may only affect less than 5,000 people (Koks, Williams & Quinn et al., 2020). Consequently, for coronavirus, the value of R0 is significantly high – 4.5 – making the rate of spreading very high and hence a comprehensive coverage in terms of infection (Koks, Williams & Quinn et al., 2020). Subsequently, it leads to difficulty in containing the spread of the virus.

           From an epidemiological perspective, the test of Covid-19 is fundamental in the understanding of the epidemic. The test aids in recognition of the spectrum of the disease severity, which either is classified as symptomatic to asymptomatic (Lipsitch, Swerdlow & Finelli, 2020). Additionally, it helps in comprehending the transmission mechanism of the virus. Furthermore, the testing helps in understanding the infector, how factors like age, and ones’s current health condition affect the transmission risks (Lipsitch, Swerdlow & Finelli, 2020). Moreover, it assists in explaining the various risk factors that affect the infection, severity, and loss of life.

           The understanding of the epidemiology of Covid-19 is very imperative in the performance of the nurse duties. Epidemiology helps nurses to incorporate Covid-19 health-related practices into their professional roles. The incorporation enables them to properly manage the Covid-19 patients within the hospitals and in isolation centers. Additionally, understanding the epidemiology of the virus enables nurses to professionally assist in determining healthcare policies that aid in combating and containing its spread.

            In conclusion, epidemiology of Covid-19 is vital in understanding the disease and how it spreads. Consequently, the concept of R0 aids in the identification of infected individuals and assists in their isolation to minimize the spread of an infectious disease. Testing of Covid-19 helps in the containment of the transmission and spread of the virus. Moreover, understanding the epidemiology of the Covid-19 supports nursing in the management and policy formulation to combat the spread of the virus. Thus, epidemiology is the science of healthcare.