The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus has claimed many lives and disrupted a lot of activities including; economic, education, transportation, and migration activities to name a few. Data from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, World Health Organization, and Centre for Disease Control have continuously shown that countries with cold weather such as the United States, Europe, and the UK have had it worse with thousands of deaths resulting from the outbreak of the pandemic.
The number of deaths recorded in those developed countries is far higher than in underdeveloped African countries, most of which have a weak and underdeveloped healthcare system. This has resulted in controversies with a general notion that the COVID-19 virus cannot survive in African Countries considering the hot weather and temperature which does not seem to support the multiplication of the deadly virus. Although, thus far this theory that the COVID-19 Virus is non-transmittable in African Countries is unconfirmed. But has since been a trending topic that has generated a lot of speculation especially in African countries such as Nigeria.
But how genuine is this claim? Is it valid and reliable?
From all evidence gathered so far, the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in all areas, including areas with hot and humid weather (WHO,2020). Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions. For example; The type of surface, temperature, or humidity of the environment. However, there is no evidence that sunlight kills the new coronavirus. Hence, regardless of climate, it is important to adopt protective measures if you live in or travel to an area reporting COVID-19.
Social media, Print media, and Studies to date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air. People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs, sneezes, or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person.
Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.
So yes, the COVID-19 Virus is transmittable in African Countries. The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by frequently cleaning your hands. By doing this, you eliminate viruses that may be on your hands and avoid infection that could occur by then touching your eyes, mouth, and nose. Although Vaccines are already being deployed to help build immunity against the virus, wearing a medical mask can help limit the spread of COVID-19 disease when coughing or sneezing. For healthy people, wear a mask only if you are taking care of a person with a suspected COVID-19 infection.
However, using a mask alone is not guaranteed to stop infections and should be combined with other prevention measures including handwashing, respiratory hygiene, and avoiding close contact-at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and other people with respiratory symptoms. Replace the mask with a new one as soon as it is damp and dispose of it properly in a closed bin; do not re-use a single-use mask.
