Do more to fight Coronavirus threat

There is no denying that the Coronavirus outbreak is now a major concern to every nation if not everyone. So far, 25 countries have confirmed cases and several countries have evacuated their citizens from China’s Wuhan. 

Chinese officials yesterday reported 2,641 new cases and 143 deaths in the previous 24 hours. Now more than 66,000 people have been infected and at least 1,523 killed worldwide. Three deaths have been recorded outside mainland China - one in Hong Kong one in the Philippines, and the most recent in Japan.

And on Friday, China ordered that everyone returning to Beijing would be required to isolate themselves for 14 days. And in what should worry Kenya the more, the Egyptian health ministry reported the first Coronavirus case in Africa, announcing that a foreigner had been placed in isolation. Cairo officials did not, however, specify the patient’s nationality.

At this point in time, we call on Health officials not to relent in their efforts to minimise threats of infection. Agencies involved in this emergency should pull all the stops to ensure thorough screening of people coming into Kenya. Fighting the virus, according to the World Health Organisation, now requires a concerted global action. Kenya should consistently compare notes with experts and global agencies to keep the virus at bay. After all, prevention is better than cure.

Given developing countries’ technological and logistical inability to handle it, the best we should do is to be more vigilant. The State should sensitise the public. Kenyans should well be aware of the symptoms and what they should do in the event of a suspected case.