29/03/2020
Advisory opinion on Corona Virus(COVID-19) submitted by the Social and Health Affairs Group of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union
Introduction
Today, the world is exposed to a widespread wave of corona virus, causing thousands of victims in most countries of the world, and disrupting all health systems in most countries that have been exposed to it due to the rapid spread and ease of transmission of infection from one person to another.
As a result of this, we decided in the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union to publish the following document, which consists of three axes.
The first axis: an overview of the virus, its methods of spread and ways to prevent it.
The second axis: the role of the Social Affairs and Health Cluster in combating COVID-19
The third axis: the role of the international community in fighting the COVID-19.
The first axis: an overview of the virus, its methods of spread and ways to prevent it.
1- What is COVID-19?
COVID -19 is a new virus that infects the respiratory system and is unknown for now. It first appeared in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019.
In February 2020, the Health Committee of the Republic of China released the name Corona virus emerging on this type of pneumonia caused by infection with the virus before changing this designation to the current name COVID-19, which is the name currently used by the World Health Organization.
2- Who can be infected?
Virus pneumonia caused by infection with this virus can occur in people who have low immunity in their bodies.
3-Infection:
In general, there are two main sources of infection transmission:
A-Spray transmission through the respiratory system,
B - Transmission of infection through direct contact
4- Symptoms of infection:
Severe fever, fatigue, and dry cough are common symptoms of this virus, while stuffy nose, sore throat, and diarrhea are rare symptoms.
5- How long is it between the virus infection and the onset of symptoms?
Based on the results of the current epidemiological investigation, symptoms of the disease appear from three to seven days in most cases, but some cases indicate that the period of detection of infection with the virus can range from 1 to 14 days.
The second axis: the role of the Social Affairs and Health Cluster in combating COVID-19:
The ECOSOCC was established in accordance with Articles 5 and 22 of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, and is an advisory body tasked with, among other things, working to translate the objectives of the African Union into reality through coordination and consultation between the various components of African civil society and the Diaspora.
What is required in this period of civil society?
Our continent is in a difficult situation due to the spread of COVID-19 and the weak means available to fight it, and it calls for the concerted efforts of all.
In this context:
• we commend all preventive measures taken so far, including closing the borders and subjecting expatriates to seizure, and we welcome the decision of the Twentieth Summit held through video conference to support the global economy and produce food and medicine to save humanity from any possible food shortages.
• We urge the establishment of laboratories for scientific research and studies at the regional and continental levels.
• We appreciate the great efforts made by African countries to limit the spread of COVID-19, such as the closure of borders and accompanying measures.
• We call upon African civil society to play the forward roles in fighting COVID-19 through awareness and education.
• We demand that all citizens respect the instructions issued by health authorities.
• We call upon governments to take appropriate measures to reduce the impact of strict decisions taken to prevent this disease.
The third axis: the role of the international community in fighting COVID-19.
On the basis of our firm belief in humanitarian principles and our sense of responsibility, we call upon the international community to:
• Take full responsibility for the world, and display basic human qualities such as solidarity, compassion and cooperation
• Engage in a relentless war against the Corona virus to prevent its spread.
• Lifting all kinds of economic blockade that some countries are subjected to, so that they can play the role entrusted to them to besiege COVID-19 that knows no borders.
• Work to stop all wars and all forms of violence and give priority to helping humanity overcome COVID-19, with the required review of priorities.
• We congratulate all the medical staff and the World Health Organization for the tremendous efforts made by them, without which we would be facing a real catastrophe today of a greater magnitude than what we see today.
• Finally, the Social Affairs and Health Committee of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council announces that its members throughout the continent are fully prepared to participate in the tactical campaigns to fight the Corona pandemic, as it plans to hold a future meeting
To study the negative effects of COVID-19 and the needed strategies to reduce the negative effects of disasters
Dr. / EL HACENE ABDALLAH MBARECK
Head / Social Affairs and Health cluster
Economic, Social and Cultural Council
Phone: 43011137- 43011138- 46456082
