Despite the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring COVID19 also known as Corona Virus a global Pandemic, there is a theory going on that African and black people are immune to the outbreak. This also comes after the breakout in African countries appears to be very low.
As of March 12, 2020, over 5000 deaths and 140,000 cases confirmed worldwide. The number of UK cases has risen to 460, and 8 deaths so far.
Hollywood actor, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have revealed via Twitter that they test positive for coronavirus. On March 10th, Nadine Dorries, British Health Minister also revealed she tested positive for coronavirus and is very worried about her elderly mother.
When COVID-19 was first announced in Wuhan, a small city in China, many country leaders in the West at that point didn’t see it to be a potential global threat that could rapidly spread to Europe and America.
33 of 47 sub-Saharan African countries have testing facilities, up from only two in January (in South Africa and Senegal).
In Nigeria, only two confirmed cases have emerged so far. The Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is publishing daily reports with updates on cases and any ongoing contact tracing. It has a free phone number and WhatsApp number for enquires and advice.
South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases also has a toll-free number.
Africans walking through the deserted streets of Italy, racism free pic.twitter.com/LlTcQZvpWr
— Igbo Excellence (@1ncognito___) March 11, 2020
Or could it be that African’s are taking more realistic measures against the virus? A clip-on how Rwanda is dealing with the outbreak has gone viral, after passengers at Kigali bus park were filmed washing their hands before getting onto buses as a prevention and risk reduction of the virus.
Amazing! Passengers at the Kigali Bus Park have to wash their hands before getting onto buses as a prevention and risk reduction #Coronavirus outbreak. #Rwanda
pic.twitter.com/PbNxXrWjbM— Mo Almoghayer | د. محمد المغير (@Mogaza) March 10, 2020
While in most developed countries, supermarkets are running out of toilet tissues and sanitizers instead.
Why is Europe and America finding it hard to curb coronavirus?
“Public Health England has started detailed contact tracing and the department and my parliamentary office are closely following their advice.”
It comes as a sixth person died from the virus in the UK, which has a total of 382 cases.
