The World Health Organisation(WHO) says its declaration of the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic, is not meant to cause panic but rather advise governments around the world to intensify their campaigns against the virus.
Globally more than 121 000 people have been infected with COVID-19 in 118 countries and over 4 300 people have died of the virus.
In South Africa 13 cases have been confirmed, all of which had traveled to various countries in Europe, including Italy which is the hardest hit and registers the most deaths outside of mainland China where the outbreak began.
Many countries have already imposed travel bans or restrictions.
In the video below, World Health Organisation declares coronavirus a pandemic
WHO representative in South Africa, Dr. Owen Kaluwa says it important to ensure that there is rapid detection of cases.
He says: “This will ensure that the cases are properly taken care of, the will have contact tracing to follow those contacts and to also give the advice to individuals that they should do, handwashing, coughing on a tissue and disposing of the tissue.”
“Whats important is that now they have to be done with much more intensity and must have to be done with much more vigour, everybody should participate.”
Coronavirus footprint in Africa
There are now over 100 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Africa and in more than 10 countries. Ivory Coast on Wednesday confirmed its first case.
EXPLAINER MAP:
The map below tracks coronavirus cases across the world
