Keep calm but prepare as coronavirus surfaces in Sub-Saharan Africa – The Wall Street Journal

Face masks? Zinc? Gloves? Americans are grasping for ways to brace for what public health experts say is inevitable: an outbreak of the new coronavirus.

Published on:

03 Mar 2020, 3:07 pm

Nigeria's health authorities have reported the first confirmed case of the coronavirus or Covid-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa, which adds to fears that the virus might spread on the continent with some of the world's weakest healthcare systems. The World Health Organisation said it meant the virus was no longer a threat but a reality in the region. This is the only confirmed case in Sub-Saharan Africa despite tests for suspected cases in Kenya, Ethiopia, the Ivory Coast, Botswana and in South Africa. The lack of cases in the region has puzzled health specialists given its close ties to China. Many called for cheaper testing kits to be made available as countries like Mozambique, Malawi and Chad with sizeable Chinese and expat communities still lacked the capacity to test for the virus. For those who may be worried about protecting themselves, their businesses and their families against the spread of Covid-19; The Wall Street Journal cautions that people should not panic, but should take steps to prepare from an outbreak which includes making sure that you can work from home, checking your sick leave policy, arranging for child care in case schools close and to have the appropriate medications if you have an underlying health conditions. – Linda van Tilburg