KRISP scientists quick action lauded by Nature
KRISP was in the front and second page of Saturday Independent newspaper, including an article on how a reporter from nature has followed our hard work to produce and release the Genome Detective Coronavirus Tool in January 2020.
By: Tanya Waterworth, 15 Feb 2020, Independent on Saturday, page 2
De Oliveira said a journalist from the prestigious scientific journal, Nature, had contacted him this week about an article due out next week which focused on how quickly scientists around the world had reacted to the outbreak.
Also at the seminar was infectious specialist from Krisp Dr Richard Lessells, who said research from 4 021 confirmed cases reported to the Chinese Centre for Disease Control showed 55% were males with an average age of 49. Only 14 of the 4 021 confirmed cases were children. Lessells said the bulk of the cases (70%) contracted mild pneumonia and the incubation period had now been estimated at five days.
He described the 3.1% fatality rate as 'substantial'. A normal flu fatality rate is an estimated 1.5%.
Dr Nokukhanya Mdlalose from the National Laboratory of Health Services, who was also at the seminar, said the National Institute of Communicable Diseases had received an estimated 80 samples, but none had tested positive for the virus.
She said a comprehensive strategy was in place to deal with any reported cases.
This piece was published in the front page of the Independent on Saturday Newspaper. It was also covered on front page and page 9.
Nature journalist piece at: How previous outbreaks prepared researchers for coronavirus: Scientists were ready with a “plug and play” protocol when COVID-19 hit.
News date: 2020-02-25
Links:
https://www.natureindex.com/news-blog/how-previous-outbreaks-prepared-researchers-for-coronavirus
