Makerere University and Infectious Disease Institute (IDI) researchers hunt coronavirus cure
Makerere University in conjunction with the Infectious Disease Institute (IDI) has embarked on plans to research for a coronavirus cure.
According to Dr Andrew Kambugu, the director of the research programme at Infectious Disease Institute within Makerere university, they are determined to embark on research for the cause of the life-threatening Coronavirus and its cure.
Kambugu implied that they are already discussing with many parties to ensure the research is kick-started earlier enough.
Coronavirus broke out in China close to two months back after many sudden deaths mainly in Wuhan city.
The virus has no cure or vaccine and is currently being treated using supportive measures. On Sunday, authorities in China reported 2,009 new cases and 142 more deaths nationwide.
In total, more than 68,000 people have been infected in China, with the death toll standing at 1,665. Outside China, there have been more than 500 cases in nearly 30 countries.
Taiwan also reported its first death from the illness last week. The victim was a man in his 60s, who had not travelled abroad recently but had diabetes and hepatitis B, according to sources from China.
Besides, the number of people who have tested positive on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which is being held in quarantine in Japan, has risen to 355
Reports further indicate that in the UK, all but one of nine people being treated have been discharged from hospital.
How China is fighting Coronavirus
In a bid to prevent the circulation of coronavirus, China has imposed new and more restrictions on the 60 million people living under lockdown in Hubei province – the centre of the outbreak – in an attempt to control the epidemic.
The new measures come despite an announcement by China’s State Council that the proportion of infected patients in a serious condition had fallen nationwide.
In so doing the use of private cars has been banned and residents have been told to stay at home unless there’s an emergency.
Sources indicated that there will be only one exception to this rule – every three days a single person from each household will be allowed out to buy food and other essential items.
Meanwhile, authorities in the capital, Beijing, have also ordered everyone returning to the city to go into quarantine for 14 days or risk punishment.
China’s central bank will also disinfect and store used banknotes before recirculating them in a bid to stop the virus spreading.
By John Dalton Kigozi
 has embarked on plans to research for a coronavirus cure. Read %%title%% right now!){kind=link}