SSMJ May 2020

Editorials

COVID-19 Pandemic: how we should respond

In December 2019, a cluster of cases of severe pneumonia were detected in the Wuhan province of China. This later turned out to be the presumed source of the COVID-19 pandemic which has spread rapidly around the world. It is worth defining the name COVID-19

COVID-19: What’s in a name?

What does each of the following have in common: Ebola, Marburg, Swine Flu, Spanish Flu and Avian flu? They are all diseases named after a location or an animal host. In the past, this had been the norm: scientists rushed to name a new disease using the place where it first identified.

News, Reports and Policy

No documents found.

Clinical Guidance

COVID-19 Case Management

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on 31 December 2019 from Wuhan province of China as a cluster of pneumonia cases. The WHO on 11 March 2020 declared this as a global pandemic. COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus which is a member of coronaviruses. South Sudan has 35 confirmed cases by 30 April 2020 with the first case announced on 4 April, 2020 while the last case (of the 35) declared on 29 April 2020.

Preventing the spread of COVID-19 in South Sudan

Based on data from relatively more affluent countries coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people (over 60 years) and those with long term conditions like diabetes mellitus, cancer, chronic lung disease and high blood pressure. It is not known if it will be the same in South Sudan.

South Sudan COVID-19 Preparedness

The nations of the world were confronted with a global health emergency after the World health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. Restrictions and regulations were imposed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The recommendations from WHO and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) formed the basis for limiting the spread of the virus but implementation has varied between countries.

COVID-19 and infection prevention and control in health facilities

Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a scientific approach and practical solution designed to prevent harm caused by infection to patients and health workers. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), IPC is vital for patient safety and quality universal health coverage since it is relevant to health workers and patients at every single health-care encounter.

South Sudanese refugees in Uganda face overwhelming odds against COVID-19

Life in Northern Uganda’s Kiryandongo refugee settlement is difficult at the best of times. Nearly 60,000 refugees, who are predominantly South Sudanese, contend with overcrowding and limited access to healthcare services, especially mental health and psychosocial support.. It is into this environment that the COVID-19 pandemic will soon be introduced.

Communicating to children about the COVID-19 pandemic

The end of 2019 ushered in a new decade and the spread of a novel coronavirus causing respiratory symptoms and disease confirmed as an outbreak by the World Health Organization (WHO) in January 2020. The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) declared on 11 February 2020 that “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2” (SARS-CoV-2) was the name of this new virus due to its genetic similarity to the coronavirus responsible for the SARS outbreak of 2003.

Pregnancy and young child feeding in South Sudan during the COVID-19 pandemic

Guidelines on preventing COVID-19 are constantly being updated. The information below was prepared in April 2020 and is based on guidelines given in the materials listed below[. Check them for updates.

Research

Comparing the American and South Korean testing approaches for controlling the spread of COVID-19

Recent observation studies have shown that while the majority of COVID-19 patients have mild symptoms (81%) that don't require hospital admission, some developed severe symptoms that required hospitalization (19%). Out of those admitted, 14% were seriously ill and required oxygen therapy; 5% of the critically ill patients needed admission to an intensive care unit. Of those sick critically, most required mechanically assisted ventilation.

Case Reports

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Summaries

Infant and Young Child Feeding Recommendations when COVID-19 is Suspected or Confirmed

This package on Infant and Young Child Feeding Recommendations when COVID-19 is Suspected or Confirmed from UNICEF and USAID includes 10 Counselling Cards and a Recommended Practices Booklet

Tracking COVID-19 and flattening the curve

In a bid to show the visual representation of the spread of COVID-19 around the world, many institutions have developed a dashboard that records the daily increase in the number of cases globally and by countries, which also include the number of fatalities.

Examples of online courses and training materials on COVID-19

Examples of online courses and training materials on COVID-19

COVID-19 resources from Africa and beyond

Here is a list of some of the many free documents and websites that can add to the information in the papers published in this issue of SSMJ. Many are regularly updated.

COVID-19 Myth-busters

There is a lot of false information around about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

IYCF Hand Washing Poster

Handwashing directions from IYCF

Good Practice Pointer: Testing for the COVID-19 virus

Testing for the virus is important, and when this is being carried out, explain to those tested why it is important.