Africa Knowledge Management Portal
Informing health decisions and actions
National Guidelines for Managing COVID-19, April 23, 2020
Surveillance and reporting
Description
The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new virus that had not been previously identified in humans and therefore no population-level immunity exists. This virus belongs to the coronaviridae family grouped together in 1968 due to existence of crown-like appearances on their cell membrane. The virus is highly transmissible by way of droplet infections attacking the respiratory, intestinal and brain tissues. Infection from SARS-CoV-2 results in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) which manifests along a spectrum ranging from mild to severe symptoms; in severe cases, death can occur due to complication from the disease.