Over the weekend, the coronavirus became one of the most prevalent issues on social media, news sites, and has become the topic of many conversations among people in general. The coronavirus is a newly identified virus that can cause respiratory infection such as pneumonia, but may prove fatal, according to the CDC. Beginning in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, this deadly virus has spread to countries all over the world via people who have visited China and returned home.

As of today, January 29, 2020, China has confirmed 132 deaths due to the disease. In addition, the number of people diagnosed in Wuhan has increased by 25% since yesterday, climbing from around 4,000 to around 5,500 cases, according to The New York Times. The virus is spread from person to person, and is thought to originate from wild animals, but officials are unclear if it is spread through physical contact, air, or in other ways. This virus is extremely contagious, and is being compared to measles.

The coronavirus has spread to other countries such as Hong Kong, Vietnam, France, Canada, the United States, and several other countries. Airlines such as British Airways have halted all flights to China in an attempt to prevent the spread of this dangerous virus.

In another article, The New York Times states scientists are racing to develop a vaccine for this illness. They predict, however, the development of a vaccine will take anywhere from months to years. Many companies, including Johnson and Johnson, have received multi-million dollar grants to conduct research on this virus and, hopefully, develop a vaccine that will prevent further spread of it.

As of right now, there is not a lot of information about the virus itself, because research has just recently begun. Scientific American has stated that the coronavirus could potentially infect countries around the world, becoming a plague, despite the little information available.

Because there is no vaccine for the virus yet, the CDC urges people to take daily precaution to prevent the spread of the disease. Some of these tips include avoiding touching your eyes and mouth, staying away from sick people or staying home if you become ill, washing hands frequently and thoroughly, and using disinfectants in your home.