Coronavirus: how worried should the Maltese be?

The coronavirus is a disease that “spreads more widely," however causes less deaths. The coronavirus was unknown to science just only a month ago. It appeared first in the city of Wuhan in China and so far has killed over 490 people and infected more than 23,000.

The coronavirus is causing severe lung disease known as pneumonia. Those who are infected with this virus has reported that they suffer from coughs, fever and difficulty to breath. Also, in severe cases there can be an organ failure that can be fatal. Antibiotics to fight against this virus are not strong enough to defend against.

Ebola, SARS and MERS are all types of viruses like the coronavirus that came from animals. The Ebola has killed around 11,000 people. Sars killed 750 and Mers killed 850. The coronavirus is a less killer virus than the others. The fatality rate of the virus is around two per-cent however the virus spreads easier from person to person rather than the other three.

Unfortunately, we know very little at the moment about the virus. Most importantly is how does it spread? It spread through respiratory droplets when coughing or sneezing.

At the moment 3,711 people are trapped on a cruise ship in Japan and they have at least 14 days in quarantine. 30 of the people says that Britons are worried and are urging their fellows in China to come back to the UK. So far in Europe there are 12 cases in Germany, six in France, two cases in Italy and the UK, one in Belgium, Spain, Finland and Sweden but they are expecting more in the coming days. This could have also an effect on 2020 Olympics which are scheduled to be held in Japan this summer. There is some hope however, in South Korea as patient is set to be discharged for the first time in South Korea. Not the same can be said in China as there is no sign that the death toll will have a break. Hong Kong also, has reported a fatality on Tuesday.

In Malta most of the Maltese are worried that sooner rather than later the coronavirus will emerge. Yesterday the news came out that a person in Malta has been "tested negative to the virus so as to this day the virus has not reached our island. We still have to wait for the other four people to be tested and results to come out before we know for sure that Malta has not been hit.

Chris Fearne, the deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health has said that: 

“I cannot say if the virus will hit us tonight or what will happen tomorrow or next month. This virus is spreading fast. Malta is part of the world and yes there is the possibility for our country to report cases of coronavirus. I cannot say Malta will not be hit by this virus” 

"Isolation units" are being set up outside Mater Dei. He was speaking live on Xarabank when interviewed by Peppi Azzopardi. Dr Fearne is not excluding Malta from being hit by the virus outbreak. The Maltese sees China as far away from Europe but as more cases emerge in Europe, we will be a closer target for the virus to hit us.

At the end of the day one must wait and see what will happen. The World Health Organisation has given a "number of tips" on how people can prevent from spreading this disease. The out break is a cause for concern and one must take their advice and start from the basics from "washing our hands" thoroughly.