Meriem Guettat
On Monday Evening, Qatar Women’s Sport Committee (QWSC) held an awareness lecture about the new Coronavirus that has spread across the world recently, at 5:30 Doha time, in their lecture hall. The lecture was given by the QWSC Clinic Director, Dr. Monia Slim.
The doctor spoke on the origins of the virus and the symptoms, and how to prevent becoming infected by the virus or transmitting it to others.
"The origin of the current outbreak, which has spread to 21 countries so far, started in a seafood market in Wuhan and was first reported to the WHO on the 31st of December. It is a new strain of coronavirus that has never been identified in humans before, from a yet unidentified animal species in the market to humans. More than 7,700 cases have been confirmed and more than 170 people have died. There were 25 suspected cases in Qatar, found at the Qatar Hamad International Airport, but there were all unaffected and were sent home yesterday."
"Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold, but also more severe diseases like the SARS outbreak in 2003, and MERS which first appeared in Jordan in 2012. They can cause respiratory issues, coughing, shortness of breath, fever, and in severe cases pneumonia, kidney failure, and death," she added.
The lecture aimed to raise awareness for the QWSC students, so they can prevent becoming infected by the virus or transmitting it to others.