COVID- 19 - Information Resources

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is continuing to spread across other African countries, with thirty countries diagnosed to be having the virus. 

 Access to information is very important in combating the spread of the virus. Most people are now living in fear because of the disease. 

What is ‘novel’ coronavirus / COVID-19?

According to the United Nations International  Childrens Education Fund (UNICEF), the novel coronavirus (Cov) is a new strain of coronavirus that was identified in Wuhan, China, that has been named  coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – ‘CO’ stands for corona, ‘VI’ for virus, and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as ‘2019 novel coronavirus’ or ‘2019-nCoV.’

Now, the COVID-19 virus is a new virus linked to the same family of viruses as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and some types of common cold.

Resources
 The following are some of the resources that the community can visit to get more information about the virus for Batswana:

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is closely monitoring the COVID-19 and  provides daily update on its Facebook page any information about COVID-19 in Botswana on:  https://www.facebook.com/COVID19.MOHW.BW/

The Government of Botswana Facebook page also post government press releases and any information pertaining to COVID-19. https://www.facebook.com/BotswanaGovernment/

The World Health Organization (WHO)  provides most up to date information about COVID-19. It provides:

-          - Public advice

-          - Situational updates

-          - Technical guidance and videos

-         -   Other media resources

It can be accessed on: https://www.who.int/

By Mosepele Mabutho