Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 128, March 2020 | Page 11

Guide to COVID-19
Many studies are being conducted
in multiple countries and in
collaboration between countries,
to test anti-viral agents and other
drugs, which show promise in
combating this virus. It is still
early stages, however, and the
results may take months before
these treatment options become
available. Also, work is being
done to develop a vaccine. It is
anticipated that it may take more
than 12 months before there is
one, and it may still take many
months after that before testing on
humans is complete. It is not an
immediate solution.
So No Races for Now…
The WHO has Strategic
Preparedness and Response
Plans in place to help countries
and territories and their governing
bodies to be ready to prepare
for and respond to COVID-19. In South Africa, the COVID-19 virus pandemic is
still in its early transmission phase. The extent of the pandemic is still very much
unknown. One positive is that our government was decisive in declaring a State
of Disaster early and instituted aggressive containment measures early, such as
closing schools and universities.
We have a large vulnerable community that may become devastated by the
infection should this virus spread uncontrollably. We have healthcare system
capacity constraints that may not be able to cope with the numbers of patients,
unless we take action to “flatten the curve.” It depends on all of us to heed the call
to limit our movement, limit social contact, and limit social gatherings.
In the same way, it is up to our running community to support our President and our
government in their bid to limit the spread and save the lives of our fellow citizens.
You can continue doing what you love, running, just don’t run in groups. The less
people each of us come into contact with, the slower the spread of the virus.
Cancelled races, even ones as iconic as Two Oceans, Cape Epic or Comrades, are
but a small price to pay when human lives are at stake. Let us lead by example.
About the Author
Dr Caroline Lee is an anaesthetist in private practice at
Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg. She is also an avid
runner who has travelled extensively across both South
Africa and the rest of the world to participate in races
(always with camera in hand), including the Two Oceans
and Comrades ultra-marathons as well as the London,
New York, Paris Berlin and Moscow Marathons.
Timeline of the
COVID-19 pandemic
31 December 2019
Cases of pneumonia detected in
Wuhan, China from 12-29 December
are first reported to the World Health
Organisation (WHO). Virus still
unknown.
7 January 2020
25 February 2020
Italy institutes complete lockdown
in a number of towns in Lombardy
region after reporting 7 deaths. Death
toll in China rises to almost 2600,
among 77,262 confirmed cases. Iran
reports 95 cases and 15 deaths.
Virus identified as a novel
coronavirus, initially named 2019-
nCoV by Chinese authorities. 6 March 2020
11 January 2020 7 March 2020
China announces first death caused
by the coronavirus.
13 January 2020
First case outside of China reported
in Thailand
21 January 2020
First case reported in USA.
26 January 2020
Death toll in China rises to 56, and
over 2000 cases confirmed.
27 January 2020
Death toll in China now 106, and over
5000 cases confirmed.
2 February 2020
First death outside mainland China
recorded in the Philippines. Death toll
in China 304, with 14,380 confirmed
cases.
11 February 2020
WHO names the coronavirus
COVID-19. Death toll in China
reaches 1016, with 42,638 infections.
14 February 2020
First death in Europe reported in
France. Egypt becomes first African
country to report a case. Death toll in
China passes 1400.
21 February 2020
Italy reports 6 confirmed cases.
First coronavirus case confirmed in
South Africa.
Worldwide cases exceed 102,000
and COVID-19 has killed nearly 3700
people. Iran, one of the worst hit
countries, has reported 4747 cases
and 124 deaths in less than two
weeks.
9 March 2020
Whole country of Italy goes into
lockdown.
11 March 2020
WHO declares a global pandemic,
and WHO chief expresses concern
over “alarming levels of spread and
severity, and by the alarming levels of
inaction.”
12 March 2020
Global death toll surpasses 4600, with
infections exceeding 126,100 cases.
South Africa now has 17 cases.
14 March 2020
South Africa up to 38 confirmed
cases.
15 March 2020
South Africa declares a State of
Emergency and all gatherings of 100
people or more are prohibited.
22 March 2020
Globally there are 335,403 confirmed
cases and 14,611 deaths. South
Africa now has 274 confirmed cases.
sneeze into a tissue (or a bent elbow) and dispose of the tissue immediately
• Stay home if you feel unwell.
• If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention by
calling the National Institute for Communicable Diseases NICD Toll Free line
0800 029 999 for advice on what to do and where to go.
• Stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider, your
national and local public health facility, or your employer on how to protect
yourself and others from COVID-19.
2. Apply Strict containment measures to limit spread.
•
Measures such as social distancing, adequate quarantine, and responsible self-
isolation when unwell, are all effective in limiting rapid spread of the disease.
• By preventing social gatherings of people and limiting movement and travel,
the spread of the disease is slowed and death rates are lower.
• The earlier and more aggressive the social distancing, the better the outcome.
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