In the two months since coronavirus first made headlines across the globe, 79 countries have reported more than 95,000 cases and 3,280 deaths.
So, should I be tested?
The NSW Department of Health says there is no need to be tested for Covid-19 unless you develop fever, cough, runny nose, shortness of breath or other symptoms and have traveled to mainland China, Iran or any other country of risk.
“You should see your GP or visit your local Emergency Department to be tested for Covid-19. You should self-isolate and exclude yourself from work until your test result is available,” a spokesperson said.
“It is important if you have symptoms you should not go to work, school, university, childcare, the gym, or public areas, and you should not use public transport, taxis, or ride-sharing services.
“If you need to seek medical care, wear a surgical mask if available when attending,” they said.
The spokesperson added that there is no specific treatment for Covid-19 however, early diagnosis and general supportive care are important, most of the time symptoms will resolve on their own.
People wearing protective face masks to protect themselves from Coronavirus are seen at Brisbane International Airport in Brisbane. Source: AAP
“People who have serious diseases with complications can be cared for in hospital.”
People are usually released from the hospital and quarantine a day after their symptoms have ceased.
Would antivirals help?
Across Australia, 63 people have been confirmed as having contracted Covid-19, with two deaths.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Paul Kelly said a drug used to treat HIV, remdesivir, is undergoing clinical trials to combat the coronavirus.
“At the moment there is no evidence whether it works or it doesn’t it is still in that experimental phase,” Dr Kelly said.
“This is why we’re talking about these quite ancient public health measures of quarantine, social distancing, of hand hygiene and so-forth, contact-tracing and case finding because there is no proven treatment."
So what are other countries doing?
In the US, health officials recently said testing will be extended from just America's sickest patients to include a broader sample.
The process by which people are tested is similar to that of the flu, a saliva swab is taken and patients who have a particularly heavy cough may be asked to provide a sputum (a mixture of saliva and mucous) sample.
The samples are chilled while being transferred to ensure the virus does not disintegrate and return a false negative.
A sign about the supply of face masks and gloves hangs at a pharmacy near Times Square in New York. Source: EPA
The results can be available in as little as 24 hours.
Singapore’s detection rates have recently been praised in a study by Harvard University researchers.
The researchers claim that if not for the country's swift response, there would be three times as many cases worldwide.
Singapore was able to detect 18 cases by 4 February, and its government has added incentives to help people self-isolate.
The country has added the assurance that infected people will receive free medical care and those self-quarantining will receive $110 AUD ($100 SGD).
A staff takes the temperature of a visitor at the entrance of a library in Singapore. Source: EPA
Singaporeans have a high level of trust in their government and are more willing to come forward and be treated in part because the country has a good track record in early detection of disease outbreaks, most notably the SARS threat in 2003.
