With a confirmed case in Nigeria – the first in sub-Saharan Africa – the feared COVID-19 is creeping ever closer to our shores. The Western Cape Government is planning to brief the media this afternoon (2 March 2020) on the province’s readiness and measures that are being put in place in case of an outbreak.

The Coronavirus has now touched every continent, with the majority of infections reported in China, where it originated. Several South African citizens are being evacuated from Wuhan Province – the epicenter of the disease.

Due to dozens of hoaxes, fake news and myths circulating about the disease, National Government has blacked out information that does not come from itself or agencies like the National Institute for Communicable Diseases.

This afternoon’s briefing should allay fears about both the country and the province’s ability to deal with an outbreak, should it occur. It is feared that if infections continue to rise, then COVID-19 could become a global pandemic.

But there are ways to mitigate the spread and protect yourself with the correct information and effective hygiene. I will share a list of absolute do’s and dont’s on Smile Breakfast tomorrow morning.

Meanwhile, here are some resources to inform yourself properly:

Addressing fake news and myths: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

Protecting yourself: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public

Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses

Supplied by the Western Cape Department of Health