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2019 novel coronavirus: South African Guidelines version 1
As part of the response efforts to COVID-19, the novel coronavirus outbreak, the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD), University of Pretoria, SAMA and the South African Public Health Medical Association (SAPHMA) organised a two-day conference on the issue on 24 and 25 February in Pretoria.
The general consensus at the COVID-19 Conference was that South Africa should prepare for cases and that all efforts need to be made to educate health practitioners in particular.
While the situation has been changing rapidly, public health and infectious diseases experts took the time to address questions from physicians and other health professionals, specifically focussed on protection of those who will be treating patients, as well as the management of patients themselves.
As at 26 February COVID-19 cases have surpassed 81 000 confirmed cases in 37 countries and has killed at least 2700 people, according to the WHO. Two cases have been reported in Africa, in Egypt and Algeria.
A recently published article in the Lancet considers South Africa at high risk of transmission along with several other African Countries.
( https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30411-6/fulltext).
The National Institute of communicable diseases (NICD) has published detailed Guidelines for case-finding, diagnosis, management and public health response in South Africa.
These give great detail on all aspects of case-finding and reporting of potential cases, management algorithms, contact details for provinces and designated hospitals and the NICD hotline for reporting of cases.
NICD Hotline +27 82 883 9920
Guidelines at: http://www.nicd.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Guidelines-for-case-finding-diagnosis-management-and-public-health-response-in-South-Africa.pdf
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