Killer on our stoep
As Namibia prepares to host its 30th Independence Day celebrations, President Hage Geingob has visited the mobile military hospital and isolation section at the Hosea Kutako airport, which is the country's first line of defence against the deadly coronavirus.
With the coronavirus global death toll rising to more than 4 000 people worldwide and over 110 000 infections, President Hage Geingob has personally inspected the readiness of Hosea Kutako International Airport to deal with a potential breach of Namibia's borders by the virus.
“I was worried about the situation. I had to come see for myself if we are ready. If diseases break out, we must be ready. Nurses must be on standby,” the head of state said during a briefing after assessing the facilities at the airport, including its infrastructure.
Health minister Kalumbi Shangula said older people with underlying conditions are most at risk.
He also gave an update about the 500 Namibians, including students, who are currently in China.
Shangula said certain considerations need to be taken into account before they are brought back to Namibia.
“China has measures in place and the 500 Namibians are protected because they will not interact with others. Taking them out of that environment may expose them to other viruses as they travel here,” the health minister said.
As a so-called 'child of international solidarity', Namibia is yearly joined by dignitaries from across the region, continent and world during its annual Independence Day celebrations on 21 March.
However, with seven confirmed cases of the coronavirus in neighbouring South Africa, and strong economic ties to China, the epicentre of the global outbreak and where 3 140 people had died by yesterday, the deadly virus is literally on Namibia's doorstep. Six countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have confirmed cases. By yesterday, the coronavirus had spread to 104 more countries apart from China, alarming public health authorities across the world.
A total of 114 647 confirmed infections were reported worldwide by yesterday afternoon, while the death toll has reached 4 031.
Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta said on Monday government was not yet considering a travel ban in light of seven confirmed cases in South Africa.
“It is not only a tourism issue but a national issue. At the moment, we will assess the situation and action will be taken as soon as we are advised by our technical people,” he said.
Also on Monday, Shangula said the normal temperature scanning of passengers at border posts would continue, and there was no talk of limiting travellers from South Africa.
The health ministry is still waiting for laboratory results from three suspected cases of coronavirus reported over the weekend.
SADC bans face-to-face meetings
An extraordinary meeting of Southern African Development Community (SADC) health ministers has placed a temporary ban on all of the regional bloc's face-to-face meetings.
Instead, technology such as Webinars and Skype will be used for such interactions going forward.
This is in direct reaction to the confirmed coronavirus cases in neighbouring South Africa.
According to a media statement, the SADC health ministers' meeting urged member states to implement national preparedness and response plans as well as make contingency and emergency funds available to address gaps in prevention, mitigation and other interventions.
Member states are also urged to institute peer review mechanisms to validate self-assessment reports on readiness.
The meeting also requested international cooperation partners, through the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, to support member states in the development and implementation of country plans, as well as in resource mobilisation for health-related infrastructure development.
The meeting also agreed that member states will establish coherent mechanisms of sharing information on issues of transboundary public health concern.
Incubation and symptoms
According to WHO, the incubation period for the coronavirus is about two to 10 days, although some literature has cited up to 14 days.
At first, the main symptoms are fever, a flu-like condition, headaches, pain in the joints and muscles.
Secondly, respiratory signs may appear with cough, sputum and shortness of breath or pneumonia, which can be severe and lead to death.
Since the symptoms of the coronavirus are similar to those of the common cold, the concern should be whether the affected person has travelled to countries that have an active outbreak of the coronavirus or has been in contact with an infected person. The worry is that 84 countries have reported cases so far.
Like with any other viral illness, the coronavirus is more fatal in people with reduced immunity (HIV patients, the elderly).
Botswana cancels international trips
Botswana government has moved swiftly to tighten the screws on international travel by government officials, including the president and cabinet ministers, because of concerns over the outbreak.
The country's health minister Dr Lemogang Kwape confirmed in an interview with a local newspaper that all international trips have been cancelled as a precautionary measure, and in line with a WHO advisory.
In April, Botswana is due to host the Forbes Under 30 Summit, but the outbreak is threatening the event.
With the situation in South Africa, Dr Kwape said they have increased surveillance and screening at all points of entry.
The Ntshe Clinic in Francistown and Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital in Gaborone have been reserved as isolation facilities.
JEMIMA BEUKES
“I was worried about the situation. I had to come see for myself if we are ready. If diseases break out, we must be ready. Nurses must be on standby,” the head of state said during a briefing after assessing the facilities at the airport, including its infrastructure.
Health minister Kalumbi Shangula said older people with underlying conditions are most at risk.
He also gave an update about the 500 Namibians, including students, who are currently in China.
Shangula said certain considerations need to be taken into account before they are brought back to Namibia.
“China has measures in place and the 500 Namibians are protected because they will not interact with others. Taking them out of that environment may expose them to other viruses as they travel here,” the health minister said.
As a so-called 'child of international solidarity', Namibia is yearly joined by dignitaries from across the region, continent and world during its annual Independence Day celebrations on 21 March.
However, with seven confirmed cases of the coronavirus in neighbouring South Africa, and strong economic ties to China, the epicentre of the global outbreak and where 3 140 people had died by yesterday, the deadly virus is literally on Namibia's doorstep. Six countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have confirmed cases. By yesterday, the coronavirus had spread to 104 more countries apart from China, alarming public health authorities across the world.
A total of 114 647 confirmed infections were reported worldwide by yesterday afternoon, while the death toll has reached 4 031.
Tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta said on Monday government was not yet considering a travel ban in light of seven confirmed cases in South Africa.
“It is not only a tourism issue but a national issue. At the moment, we will assess the situation and action will be taken as soon as we are advised by our technical people,” he said.
Also on Monday, Shangula said the normal temperature scanning of passengers at border posts would continue, and there was no talk of limiting travellers from South Africa.
The health ministry is still waiting for laboratory results from three suspected cases of coronavirus reported over the weekend.
SADC bans face-to-face meetings
An extraordinary meeting of Southern African Development Community (SADC) health ministers has placed a temporary ban on all of the regional bloc's face-to-face meetings.
Instead, technology such as Webinars and Skype will be used for such interactions going forward.
This is in direct reaction to the confirmed coronavirus cases in neighbouring South Africa.
According to a media statement, the SADC health ministers' meeting urged member states to implement national preparedness and response plans as well as make contingency and emergency funds available to address gaps in prevention, mitigation and other interventions.
Member states are also urged to institute peer review mechanisms to validate self-assessment reports on readiness.
The meeting also requested international cooperation partners, through the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, to support member states in the development and implementation of country plans, as well as in resource mobilisation for health-related infrastructure development.
The meeting also agreed that member states will establish coherent mechanisms of sharing information on issues of transboundary public health concern.
Incubation and symptoms
According to WHO, the incubation period for the coronavirus is about two to 10 days, although some literature has cited up to 14 days.
At first, the main symptoms are fever, a flu-like condition, headaches, pain in the joints and muscles.
Secondly, respiratory signs may appear with cough, sputum and shortness of breath or pneumonia, which can be severe and lead to death.
Since the symptoms of the coronavirus are similar to those of the common cold, the concern should be whether the affected person has travelled to countries that have an active outbreak of the coronavirus or has been in contact with an infected person. The worry is that 84 countries have reported cases so far.
Like with any other viral illness, the coronavirus is more fatal in people with reduced immunity (HIV patients, the elderly).
Botswana cancels international trips
Botswana government has moved swiftly to tighten the screws on international travel by government officials, including the president and cabinet ministers, because of concerns over the outbreak.
The country's health minister Dr Lemogang Kwape confirmed in an interview with a local newspaper that all international trips have been cancelled as a precautionary measure, and in line with a WHO advisory.
In April, Botswana is due to host the Forbes Under 30 Summit, but the outbreak is threatening the event.
With the situation in South Africa, Dr Kwape said they have increased surveillance and screening at all points of entry.
The Ntshe Clinic in Francistown and Sir Ketumile Masire Teaching Hospital in Gaborone have been reserved as isolation facilities.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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