Coronavirus - Covid19

Coronavirus or COVID-19 is a severe and infectious disease which is caused by the virus named SARS-CoV-2. Corona virus can also be seen as a group of viruses that cause a range of ailments like the common cold or lead to more severe issues like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). This virus started spreading from Wuhan, China in the year 2019. Due to the uncontrolled spread of corona virus cases, WHO declared it pandemic in the year 2020. Initially, due to a lack of proper information, many lives suffered much more severely. So far, Corona virus stats shows the death of over 49.6 crore people worldwide and 4.3 crores in India. However, with the introduction of Covid-19 vaccines across the globe, the situation is under much control. Staying safe, healthy, and alert is the key to protecting yourself from Covid.

According to researchers, bats or pangolins were most likely the origin of this virus. It is assumed that the virus is passed on from the bats to the humans through an intermediary animal. There are many ways through which this virus can spread among humans:

• If a person touches a surface that is contaminated with corona virus and in that process without sanitizing his/her hand touches their mouth, nose or eyes.
• It is assumed that this virus can sustain in the air, so the air which is contaminated due to sneezing or coughing by the infected person can also infect the other person
• It might also transmit through faecal matters
• Physical contact (shaking hands, touching) with the infected person
• This virus can also spread from a person who is infected but is showing no symptoms. This is known as asymptomatic transmission

Covid-19 virus may take around 2 to 14 days to show the signs and symptoms in a person's body. This period is known as the incubation period. But a person can spread the virus even in this phase. This period is known as presymptomatic transmission. Common Corona virus symptoms are:

• Cough
• Fever
• Breathing problems
• Tiredness
• Respiratory issues
• Loss of taste or smell
• Muscle pain
• Severe chills
• Running nose
• Sore throat
• Chest pain
• Conjunctivitis
• Pneumonia
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Rashes

In the case of children they might show similar symptoms to that of the adults and generally have mild illness. The severity of virus corona ranges from mild to severe. It is also seen that some people experience worsened symptoms in a week like acute shortness of breath and pneumonia.

There are many people who also experience these symptoms four weeks after the diagnosis. This is known as a post-covid symptom. The risk of the seriousness of this disease increases with age and certain pre-existing medical conditions. Some medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and COPD can increase the risk of this disease. However, with better medication facilities most people recover from the disease.

Apart from authorised vaccines by the Government, there are some preventive measures that a person can take to reduce the risk of corona virus. Some of the measures are:

• Using sanitiser or washing hands on a frequent basis with soap for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid physical contact with people who shows Covid-like symptoms
• Avoid touching the nose, eyes, and mouth without washing or sanitising the hands
• The surfaces which are touched frequently shall be disinfected properly
• Covering your mouth or nose while coughing or sneezing with a tissue and disposing of it after use
• Isolate yourself immediately if you have corona virus symptoms.

1. Existing health plans cover Covid-19:

   Even before the coming of the Covid-19, people had health insurance plans. It might not be possible for everyone to purchase a whole new health cover for Covid-19. So, for the ease of customers, all the current health plans include this in the health insurance covers. Before testing positive for corona virus if a policy has been purchased by you then you get the medical expenses covered.

2. Financial aid:

   Money is one of the most needed help at times of medical emergencies. This is when a health plan proves to be the most beneficial. All the medication expenses including hospital expenses are covered under a Covid-19 health insurance plan.

3. Tax Benefits:

   Certain tax benefits are also available for people having health insurance coverage. Under Section 80D of Income Tax, you can file tax benefits against the premium amount that you pay.

4. Cashless treatment:

   Cashless treatment has made the process of handling medical emergencies very easy. There are several network hospitals all over the country that are covered under various policies where a person can get hassle-free and cashless treatment.

5. Get Better Treatment Facilities:

   There are many facilities that you can avail yourself of while you choose an insurance policy. These include consumables cover, maternity cover, OPD cover, overseas cover, newborn cover and many more. Also, when you know you have financial assistance, you tend to avail better treatment facilities.

There are certain inclusions that a person expects before buying a policy. Some of the related health inclusions offered in a health plan are listed below.

• In-patient hospitalization expenses
• Accidental hospitalization
• Critical illness hospitalization
• Road ambulance cover
• ICU room rent
• Daily hospital cash
• Organ donor expense
• Home hospitalization

There are some aspects that are not covered by the insurance policy which you might have opted for Corona virus. Have a look at the list:

• Home quarantine:

  If you are staying at your home while you're suffering from Corona virus then the policy does not cover those expenses

• Hospitalization without a doctor's advice:

  If you get admitted to a hospital without a doctor's recommendation, then those expenses won't be covered in your policy.